The London mayor fears most voters are unaware of the change to a first past the post system that may boost the Tory candidate

Sadiq Khan has warned progressive voters that they risk handing the London mayoralty to an “increasingly rightwing” Tory party unless they back Labour, amid concern in his camp that most Londoners are unaware of a complete overhaul of the voting system.

The battle for control of City Hall next May will be the first mayoral contest to switch to the first past the post voting system. It comes after a legal change last year that appears to be largely unknown among the capital’s voters. The previous system allowed voters to pick their second preference.

Only 30% of Londoners are aware of the change, according to a new Opinium poll. It has led to concern in Khan’s team that, despite his large poll lead, Liberal Democrat and Green voters will be unaware that they can no longer back him as their second preference, as many have done in the past.

  • zolax@programming.dev
    1·
    11 months ago

    this change was made by the Tory government, btw.

    here’s the main part of the article copy-pasted (with important parts in bold):

    Today, Minister for the Constitution and Devolution Chloe Smith has announced measures to apply the tried and tested system of First Past the Post to the election of council and ‘metro’ mayors across England, and to Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales.

    In this May’s London Mayoral elections, the Supplementary Vote system saw hundreds of thousands void, wasted or blank votes cast, reflecting voter confusion and the complex system. Supplementary Vote also means that a ‘loser’ candidate can win on second preferences. In 1931, Winston Churchill described transferable voting as “the decision is to be determined by the most worthless votes given for the most worthless candidates.”

    First Past the Post is the world’s most widely used electoral system. The change to First Past the Post will further strengthen the accountability of elected mayors and PCCs to their electorate, making it easier for voters to express a clear choice. The person chosen to represent a local area should be the one who directly receives the most votes.

    Chloe Smith, Minister for the Constitution, said:

    Britain’s long-standing national electoral system of First Past the Post ensures clearer accountability, and allows voters to kick out the politicians who don’t deliver. First Past the Post is fair and simple – the person with the most votes wins.

    Kit Malthouse, Minister for Policing, said:

    We are strengthening the accountability and role of Police and Crime Commissioners, to help cut crime and deliver on the people’s priorities.

    Luke Hall, Minister for Local Government, said:

    Elected mayors can provide strong leadership, and must be held to account at the ballot box. The supplementary vote is an anomaly which confuses the public and is out of step with other elections in England, both local and national. Moving to First Past the Post will make it easier for voters to express a clear choice.

    edit: added link