Demonstrators from Camden in Parliament Square

AN outdated voting system is being used to protect the status quo and shut the public out of politics, it was claimed at a demonstration outside of the House of Commons on Saturday.

Electoral reform cam­paigners from Camden were among hundreds at the Democracy Rally ahead of plans to expand the use of the traditional “first past the post” (FPTP) method used in general elections and local government ballots.

The government plans to use the same system for future London mayoral elections, which currently has an alternative-choice system. A “list” process also currently allows the use of proportional representation to top up members in the London Assembly.

The UK held a national referendum on electoral reform in 2011 with no changes being made, but campaign groups say that even then the choice – the introduction of an “alternative vote” system – was not a fair fight or offering the best way forward.

Supporters of the Make Votes Matter held a stall outside Camden Town tube station before joining the rally in Parliament Square against the new Elections Bill being pushed by home secretary Priti Patel.

The rally featured prominent speakers from across political divides including John McDonnell MP, Labour’s former shadow chancellor and Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari.

“When I see the results of our general elections, and those in government, I see the same old faces, same old values and same old ideas”, said Ms Bokhari.

“The people in power do not want progress, equality or fairness. The system works for them – and keeps them in power. Proportional representa­tion would ensure that the electorate are accurately represented and engaged.”

A criticism of first past post the post has been that residents in “safe” constituencies and wards have little chance of having much input in elections – and then feel disenfranchised. In Camden, the Holborn and St Pancras constituency has produced predictable results for decades.

Another speaker, Mark Kieran who is chief executive of Open Britain, said: “If passed, the Elections Bill would compromise the independence of the elections watchdog, frustrate the ability of already marginalised groups to cast their votes, and silence campaign organisations that don’t toe the government’s line.”

He added: Our system would be a democracy in name only.”

Emma Knaggs, the Grassroots Director at Make Votes Matter, added: “We are asking people in London and across the UK to sign our petition ‘Less First Past the Post, not more’, and send a clear message to the government not to impose this archaic system on future mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

“This would be a backward step for our democracy and leave millions more voters without a voice in politics, being governed by officials they simply didn’t vote for.”

Home secretary Priti Patel said last year she wants the 2024 London elections to use FPTP and has said the system creates “strong and clear local accountability”.