Andy Burnham faces a significant Commons vote next week after nearly 100 Labour MPs backed an amendment calling for a "national commission" to examine replacing first-past-the-post for Westminster elections. The amendment, attached to the Government's Representation of the People Bill, tests Sir Keir Starmer's long-standing personal support for electoral reform against his government's more limited legislative priorities, and could reopen debate on a change that might allow smaller parties, such as the Greens, to gain a foothold in government.

The proposed commission would examine scrapping first-past-the-post and report recommendations within 12 months, with backers urging the Prime Minister to launch the process within his first 100 days in office. Labour MPs including Rachel Blake and Luke Akehurst argue the party and public are ready for change, though a government source said the current Bill is focused on delivering manifesto pledges on votes for 16- and 17-year-olds and tightening political donation rules, with electoral reform left for a future manifesto. Burnham himself has said he backs proportional representation and will push for Labour to commit to it next time, while the party conference backed the shift in 2022 despite it being excluded from the 2024 manifesto.