Open Primaries – a stop gap solution?

In Dunt’s recent book, ‘How Westminster Works— and Why it Doesn’t’, gives a pretty good summary of what’s wrong.

He believes that the most effective single change would be to introduce a system of Proportional Representation (PR) for the Commons. It is a necessary though not sufficient condition for competent government. The problem is that this will not happen unless a government supports the principle at least.

First Past The Post serves the selfish interests of the leaders of both Conservative and Labour. Conservatives have always understood that; they will not change. Although most Labour Party members want PR, Starmer has said ‘it is not a priority for [him]’. Although those close to him believe he is totally opposed, but wont explain why. If half what Oliver Eagleton in his book, “The Starmer Project: A Journey to the Right”, is to be believed, Starmer is the most dangerous politician in my 82 years of life. I note that Starmer has not sued for libel. I find it increasingly difficult to believe that under FPTP the leadership of any of the three main parties would ever genuinely put the good of the people, the economy and the interests of future generations ahead of their own selfish interests.

Both Sunak and Starmer have recently said that our politics is broken, but of course have not suggested that PR could be part of the solution. The only chance of getting PR is that there is a hung parliament in which the Lib Dems seek a confidence and supply deal with whichever major party undertakes to take meaningful action on PR. If neither party would make that commitment then all Lib Dem MPs should be given a free vote on everything, though there would be a convenor who would try to broker consensus where possible. This solution implies that no Lib Dem MP should accept any government position, even that of Parliamentary Private Secretary.

If the principle of PR is accepted, there are a number of steps to go through before PR is implemented. The system of PR has to be agreed, as does a scheme of constituencies, and finally there has to be legislation. I realise that PR is unlikely to be introduced any time soon. To that end I offer a possible stop gap solution, that of open primaries.

When in the run up to the 2010 election the Tory MP for Totnes resigned, Cameron had the bright idea of having an Open Primary to select a replacement. This exercise in which over 25% of registered votes took part, resulted in the selection and subsequent election of local GP Sarah Wollaston. She remained the MP until early 2019 when she resigned from the Conservative Party and landed up in the Lib Dems. In the 2019 election she was defeated by the (new) Tory. In preparation for the 2024 election an open primary is being organised in the newly named constituency of South Devon, amongst the progressive parties to find the best challenger to the Tory.

Could this be repeated elsewhere? My constituency, South Dorset has been Tory since 2010, but is now predicted to swing back to Labour next year. When Labour HQ realise the seat is winnable they will ensure that a right winger is selected. There can be no question of an open primary.

A Labour government under Starmer is likely to be worse than another Tory government. I conclude there is very little scope for open primaries.