Proportional Representation in Assembly Elections

 “This Assembly notes that the Additional Member System of Proportional Representation (PR), which is used for elections to the London Assembly, provides fair representation to London’s diverse population. We acknowledge that PR ensures that political parties holding seats on the Assembly are broadly in proportion to the share of the vote that the people of London give them.

This Assembly believes this gives voice to the full range of public opinion and ensures that every vote matters; that the democratic legitimacy of the Assembly is thereby enhanced; that the ability of the Assembly to hold the Mayor to account is thereby strengthened; and, that the accountability of the Assembly Members to the voters is thereby improved.

This Assembly notes that a private member’s bill is seeking to replace the Additional Member System with First Past the Post.

We believe that any such move to reduce or eliminate PR for Assembly elections would be detrimental to the interests of the voters, to the accountability of the Mayor and Assembly Members, and to the legitimacy of London’s democracy.

The Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to make representations to the Minister for the Constitution, highlighting the success of Proportional Representation in London and the necessity that any changes made to elections must make the Assembly a better - rather than worse - reflection of the people it is elected to serve.”