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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Letters

Time for a progressive alliance under proportional representation

A ballot box at an electoral counting centre In Manchester.
An electoral counting centre In Manchester. ‘There would need to be a pre-election progressive pact with just one item on the agenda: to enact PR,’ writes Chris Hughes. Photograph: LNP/Rex/Shutterstock

In his interview (‘I’m bloody angry. Only anger is keeping me from falling into despair’, 8 July), Neil Kinnock says that realignment without proportional representation means fragmentation. The nascent progressive alliance – soon to be boosted if, as now seems highly likely, Labour splits – should heed the veteran’s words of wisdom. There would need to be a pre-election progressive pact with just one item on the agenda: to enact PR, then hold a second general election.

It would be a happy coincidence of party self-interest (sustainable survival) and political principle (improving democracy). That way, the political landscape can open up and new political ecosystems can develop. Interesting times.
Chris Hughes
Leicester

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