Member

Changes of such fundamental importance must never be made on a knee-jerk or reactive basis. The British people deserve better. That brings me to the amendment tabled by the hon. Member for Leeds Central and Headingley (Alex Sobel) that proposes to establish a commission on electoral reform. To attach such a monumental change to an already overloaded Bill at this late stage would be completely absurd, and to take steps towards changing our electoral system, despite never seeking the support of the British people for doing so, would be more absurd still. Reform of our entire electoral system is not a minor technical adjustment—it would fundamentally alter the way in which democracy in this country functions. In particular, the system of proportional representation favoured by some Members from other parties would forever break the link between the performance of Members in this House and the will of the people.