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Local Elections (Proportional Representation) Bill [HL]

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A bill to Introduce a system of proportional representation for locally elected bodies in England if agreed following a public consultation and a referendum of registered voters in the area affected; and for connected purposes.

Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Referendum on voting system for local government

(1) A referendum may be held in a principal local authority in England on whether elections to that principal local authority should be conducted using a proportional representation electoral system.
(2) A referendum may only be held by a principal local authority if—
(a) there has been a petition to the Secretary of State signed by at least 10% of the registered electors in that principal local authority requesting a referendum on the implementation of proportional representation,
(b) the principal local authority has passed a resolution that such a referendum be held and specifies the system of proportional representation which it proposes, and
(c) that the Secretary of State is satisfied that there has been adequate public consultation undertaken by the principal local authority on the possible implementation of a proportional representation voting system.
(3) Any referendum held under the terms of subsection (2) may only be held on the same day as the next local government elections for that area.
(4) Where a majority of those voting in a referendum vote in favour of adopting proportional representation, the principal local authority must conduct all subsequent elections using the approved proportional electoral system.
(5) Where a majority of those voting in a referendum vote against adopting proportional representation, no further referendum may be held in relation to that principal local authority within five years.
(6) The Secretary of State must by regulations made by statutory instrument specify one or more electoral systems which constitute proportional representation.
(7) Any statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

2 Power to make consequential provision

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make such consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purposes of, or in consequence of, this Act.
(2) Regulations under this section may amend, repeal or revoke provision made by or under primary or secondary legislation.
(3) Regulations under this section which amend or repeal primary legislation may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

3 Interpretation

In this Act—
principal local authority means—
(a) county council;
(b) a district council;
(c) a London borough council;
(d) a metropolitan district council;
(e) a unitary authority;
(f) the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority.
proportional representation electoral system means any electoral system specified in regulations made under section 1.

4 Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to England only.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Local Elections (Proportional Representation) Act 2026.