‘There is widespread acknowledgement that the first-past-the-post system is flawed’ 

• DAVID Brown writes about the need to follow up Labour’s conference decision to support electoral reform by applying pressure to a reluctant leadership, (Time for voting reform, Letters, October 6).

As correspondence in the CNJ has shown, there is widespread acknowledgement that the first-past-the-post system is flawed, producing disproportionate results, with large numbers of wasted votes, but less agreement about how and whether it might be replaced.

This is by no means the only aspect of our somewhat archaic constitution which is ripe for reconsideration. In recent years we have seen the government play fast and loose with the respective roles of the executive, legislature and judiciary.

Arcane “Henry VIII” clauses and attempted prorogation of parliament have been used to prevent proper scrutiny of legislation, the unelected House of Lords has been stuffed with donors and cronies, and the right to vote threatened by requirements for voter ID.

The balance of powers between the nations, regions, and localities that make up the UK requires a fresh look, as does our relationship with the EU, which is clearly not working to anyone’s advantage, and indeed the hereditary principles which underpin our constitution.

These controversial matters need careful exploration and debate. One model which proved successful was the Scottish Constitutional Convention which preceded the Scottish devolution referendum.

It involved political and other players, including the churches and produced recommendations for devolution including the additional member voting system, which has resulted in more proportionate electoral outcomes and stable government in both Scotland and Wales.

The successful motion at Labour conference called on Labour to “convene an open and inclusive process to decide the specific proportional voting system it will introduce”.

One way to achieve this would be for Labour, in conjunction with other interested parties and civil society organisations, to set up a UK constitutional convention as soon as practicable, using a consultative and deliberative process, to review, and agree proposals to improve, the UK’s constitutional and electoral arrangements. This could include the use of citizens’ assemblies.

It is essential fundamental changes, for example to voting procedures and Lords reform, have buy-in from voters. Building cross-party and public consensus in advance through a convention would both model good governance and enable an incoming Labour government to start the process of constitutional change, ensuring as a first priority that a more proportional voting system is introduced prior to the subsequent general election.

DR ANTHONY ISAACS, NW3