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Burnham faces Labour revolt over voting system change
Labour leader warns electoral reform could let extreme views dominate.
In brief
Labour leader warns electoral reform could let extreme views dominate. Andy Burnham faces Labour revolt after warning proportional representation might let minority parties with extreme views control government. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Andy Burnham faces Labour revolt
Andy Burnham is facing a revolt over his push to alter Britain's voting system.
Labour grandee warns of extreme views
A Labour grandee warns minorities with 'outlandish views' would call the shots under altered voting system.
Prime Minister's electoral reform pledge
The Prime Minister used his Labour Party conference speech last month to announce plans to contest the next general election with a manifesto pledging electoral reform.
Burnham advocates proportional representation
He has previously argued in favour of replacing the current first-past-the-post system for Westminster contests with proportional representation.
Potential coalition government impact
This would potentially make coalition governments more likely, increasing the influence of less popular parties such as the Greens.
New national commission proposed
During his speech, Mr Burnham also told Labour members he was creating a new national commission to look at the issue 'so that everyone's vote counts and everyone's voice is heard'.
Lord Blunkett warns of risks
Lord Blunkett, the Labour peer and former home secretary, urged supporters of electoral reform to be 'extremely careful' what they wish for.
Louise Haigh expresses concerns
It has been reported that Louise Haigh, who is Mr Burnham's de facto deputy PM, also has concerns about shifting to proportional representation.
Israeli politics as warning
He pointed to Israeli politics - where the country's PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, is in coalition with ultranationalist allies who reject the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - as a warning to…
Lord Blunkett's specific warning
Lord Blunkett wrote in The i Paper: 'If there were ever an example of how tiny minorities representing not only outlandish views but providing a blockage on progress, compromise and long-term outcomes, it has to…
Angela Rayner opposes change
Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, has previously voiced opposition to ditching first-past-the-post.
John Healey campaigned against reform
John Healey, who is now Chancellor, campaigned against electoral reform when voters were asked to approve the Alternative Vote system in a 2011 referendum.
Ed Miliband supported reform
Ed Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, was on the opposite side in that referendum, and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh was among Labour MPs to support calls for electoral reform earlier this year.
Jonathan Brash opposes reform
Jonathan Brash, the MP for Hartlepool, said he 'would never support a system that weakened that relationship between an MP and the people they represent'.
Coalition government fears
Some Labour MPs have also expressed fears about having to rely on the Green Party or Liberal Democrats for support in a future coalition government elected under PR.
What matters most
Andy Burnham faces Labour revolt after warning proportional representation might let minority parties with extreme views control government.
