Andy Burnham has said he will back sweeping changes to the electoral system to make politics \u201cless point-scoring, more problem-solving\u201d if he becomes prime minister.<\/p>\n
The Greater Manchester<\/a> mayor has previously called for the introduction of proportional representation for UK general elections, handing more power to minority parties like the Greens.<\/p>\n In an interview with BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday, Burnham gave his clearest commitment yet to electoral reform if he wins the Makerfield byelection<\/a> \u2013 to be held on 18 June \u2013 and then a leadership contest to No 10.<\/p>\n He said he believed in \u201ca different type of politics \u2013 a politics that is more place first rather than party first\u201d, adding: \u201cWhere you can work with others, you do that. I do think there needs to be reform to the electoral system to enable less point-scoring, more problem-solving \u2013 that\u2019s what I think we need. Less short term, more long term.\u201d<\/p>\n Burnham did not say when he would like to see these changes introduced or whether he would commit to starting the process if he becomes prime minster this year.<\/p>\n One of the parties that would benefit most from electoral reform would be the Greens, which has reportedly considered<\/a> dialling down its Makerfield campaign if Burnham\u2019s team commit to introducing proportional representation.<\/p>\n Critics of proportional representation have said it would lead to a more chaotic form of government, with unstable coalitions and an inability to pass legislation. Yet Burnham has long argued that Britain has suffered from an overcentralised, London-centric form of government where two parties dominate at the expense of many of the UK\u2019s nations and regions.<\/p>\n