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David Cameron today hit back at Health Secretary Alan Johnson's call for voting reform, warning that it could hand real power to the racist British National Party.
In a hard-hitting article for the Evening Standard, he said the BNP was on the brink of winning a seat in the European Parliament in this Thursday's elections.
The Tory leader said the BNP could win seats at Westminster if Mr Johnson - who is widely tipped as Labour's next leader - won his campaign for a new electoral system.
"If just eight per cent of the electorate votes for the BNP, then as a result of the PR system that Labour forced on us that party is guaranteed a seat in the European Parliament," he said.
"Imagine the same thing happening in national government. Not only would the BNP get in, they would also wield influence out of all proportion to their numbers, for the simple fact that in coalition governments it's the smaller parties that are the power brokers."
Mr Johnson last week called for a national referendum on election reform, arguing for a system of proportional representation - a move seen by many Labour MPs as a bid to burnish his leadership credentials by championing radical reform.
Reader views (21)
Proportional systems reflect the strength of voter feeling: if enough people vote for a particular party, that party gains some representation. Representation; not power. Voters in Barking and Dagenham and Epping Forest are already keenly aware of how the BNP has got a monopoly of power in some wards, despite only 30% of the vote – such is the way the current First-Past-the-Post system for council elections works.
Different PR systems are appropriate for different elections. The system used for electing MEPs is simple for the voter; a more diverse set of views and parties gain representation; and there are opportunities for a better gender balance of successful candidates.
However, no one would wish to see the closed list system in place for electing MPs. Like Cameron I recognise the need to rebuild a strong link between constituents and their MP. But, unlike him, I favour giving voters more choice over candidates. Alternative Vote Plus (the system which was drawn up with public involvement by the Jenkins Commission and is favoured by Alan Johnson) does exactly that.
- Malcolm Clark, London, 03/06/2009 12:37
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PR is a way that people who failed to get elected can still get their feet under the table. It is a side-stepping of the electoral process in my opinion. Personally, I don't like seeing losers (yes, even my own Tories when appropriate) sharing the authority awarded to the winners. The losers ideas and promises will have been rejected by the majority in a democratic vote - why should the majority be subject to those ideas regardless?
PR would simply mean MORE POLITICIANS in parliament - is that what everyone wants?
The beauty of an effectively two party state is that the excesses of the jaded governments, as happens to them all, will in due time be clawed back by a resurgent opposition.
- Rogan, Irving, 02/06/2009 21:30
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To Carl, Norwich.
The BNP ban black and Asian individuals from joining their ranks and espouse the repatriation of legally settled non-White citizens. Clearly a racist party.
It's a shame that you've been deceived by their election leaflet which only tells half the story.
- Leanne, London, UK, 02/06/2009 21:19
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Calm down,Mr.Cameron.Wielding power out of all proportion to its share of the electoral vote is exactly what a New Labour government has been doing for the past ten years or so.29% of the electorate have given us an "elected" dictatorship with a strong majority.If the electorate now prefer the BNP....well,that's too bad....but they have a right to maximise their influence under a bad electoral system....just as the two main parties have always done.
- A Macmillan, Volos Greece, 02/06/2009 17:38
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PR does not in the end reflect the views of constituents, only a hybrid version negoatiated between political parties which no one will actually have voted for. Nor do I think governments should simply reflect the views of their constituents, but should protect their interests - not the same thing at all. The current furore over MPs expenses, however justified it is, has given rise to something like mob rule sentiments. I really do not think we would want political leaders to follow the mob. Alan Johnson is trying to find a suitable profile to advance his own career, and no harm in that, but let's not confuse that with matters of principle.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 02/06/2009 16:47
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looks like cameron doesnt want to lose control of the trough just yet. Another load of bilge from a useless rich tory. Bring in PR, if a party gets 10% of the vote they should have 10% of the seats. Its so simply.
- Chris, Cov, 02/06/2009 16:00
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why does cameron keep bleating on about the bnp. Surely his party's popularity will defeat a little non descript outfit like this? surely?
- Steve Markham, bolton uk, 02/06/2009 15:12
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How dare the leaders of the big three parties make out we are as shallow as them. When we vote we do so fully appreciative of the intrinsic worth and judicious motive for such an action. Not that it changes anything as they are all crooks but please do not judge us by your standards Cameron,.
- Gary, brentwood, 02/06/2009 14:30
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PR is a disaster for exactly the reasons Cameron says. It reduces accountability; it encourages cetralisation and the movement of power away from the local area; it is manipulated by large and small parties alike; and the vast majority of voters end up with a government no one wants.
Also of course PR can also be seen as a metaphor for Left Wing Political infighting. There are so many different versions of PR, even when it is in place, most of its advocates start moaning that while it is PR it is not the PR that "they" want.
I can just about acknowledge that there is a case for two rounds of voting, with the second round eliminating all candidates except the top two, but even that is flawed.
No, the real issue is not changing first past the post, but separating legislative and executive powers and demanding real accountability to the electorate at local and national level.
- Steve, London, UK, 02/06/2009 14:18
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Why not just abolish voting?
That would soon stop these people who want to vote inappropriately.
Come on Mr Cameron! Fighting extremism requires radical measures. You'll have the full support of the country.
- Mike Newland, London, England, 02/06/2009 13:55
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So DC, you are saying if you gave us PR, we would end up with a popular BNP government? I dont think so - they are on the political fringe.
I think they will get a lot of protest votes in this Thursday's, european election, but this will not translate in the national election.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 02/06/2009 13:40
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"Perhaps those who criticise the party can specify which of its policies, precisely, they find objectionable."
Well, for starters, I believe it's the only one of the political parties with a serious chance of sending an MEP to Brussels that won't allow certain people to join purely because of their ethnic origin (regardless of whether they're British by birth). Many people would find that pretty objectionable.
Then, there's the violent and criminal background of many of its members, going right up to its leader, who has a conviction for incitement to racial hatred. I'm not entirely convinced that such a person is ideally suited to represent a nation renowned for its tolerance of diversity.
But most fundamentally, there's the fact that Griffin has been bending over backwards to launch a charm offensive, issuing carefully sanitised manifestos in the hope that extremely gullible people who know nothing of the party's neo-Nazi roots will make comments exactly like yours. Sadly, it seems to be working.
- Michael, London, 02/06/2009 13:17
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Davey Cameron you sound more like a Labourite each time you open your mouth.
Instead of slaggng off the BNP why don't you ask yourself why people are voting for them, and take the best policies?
I voted BNP at the Mayoral Election which helped Barnbrook get in, and will continue to vote BNP untill a major partiy listens and does what the public want.
Do I really think the BNP would be good for this country, possibly not, but what I don't want is a Conservative Government doing what Labour have done for the last 12 years.
Just as I didn't expect a Labour Government like this one to be a Tory Party in disguise.
Be a man and take the bull by the horns, or are you trying to please everyone at the same time, cause it won't work.
- P Staker, London, SW8, 02/06/2009 13:09
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So, If we have PR and follow the Italian model then the MPs will all get a 'nice little earner' every year when a new government has to voted in.
- Jim, London, 02/06/2009 12:29
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The political system is this country is Quangoism not totalitarianism. The only reason we are in Europe, once elected these rotten MP's suck us dry.
- Ge, The free people of Kernow, 02/06/2009 12:28
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I have read the BNP's policies and manifesto, unlike most of those who use adjectives such as as 'Nazi', 'racist' and 'odious'. I have no problem with the party's aims. I have found no racism, no odium, no intolerance. Perhaps those who criticise the party can specify which of its policies, precisely, they find objectionable.
- Carl, Norwich, England, 02/06/2009 12:13
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no its not frank labour would have got 220 seats at the most under pr at the last election ,not nearly 360
- Jack, south hornchurch, 02/06/2009 11:47
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<em>"Not only would the BNP get in, they would also wield influence out of all proportion to their numbers, for the simple fact that in coalition governments it's the smaller parties that are the power brokers."</em>
They're only power brokers if a larger party tries to form a coalition government with them. Given that I can't see Labour or the Lib Dems doing so, is Cameron saying that a minority Conservative government <em>would</em> try to make a deal with the BNP?
- Tom, London, 02/06/2009 10:50
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Cameron, like the majority of our political class, seems to have problems with democracy. Democracy is allowing people you disagree with to put forward their arguments and ask the electorate to vote for them. The legislature should then reflect the views of the electorate.
It is not restricting membership of the legislature to people who agree with you. That is called totalitarianism. Clear now?
- James J, London, 02/06/2009 10:34
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PR is the best hope Labour have of getting votes. A desperate move.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 02/06/2009 10:24
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Surley we should have a voting system that fairly reflects the will of the people. A system shouldn't be rejected just because it would favour a party that Cameron fears. Isn't that just bigotry on his part? And why won't he listen to the vox populi?
- Richard, Welling, 02/06/2009 10:20
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