• AT the Labour Party conference in September, the motion on electoral reform, otherwise proportional representation (PR) was supported by delegates – in line with an opinion poll that showed 83 per cent of Labour members supported PR.

However the motion was not carried. This was because most trade unions either abstained or voted against, as their own conferences had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and they had not agreed policy on the issue.

An important part of that union vote, Unite, has now held its own conference and changed its policy.

Afterwards Unite secretary general Sharon Graham said: “Today, Unite policy conference voted to support proportional representation for the first time in our history. Our members across this union already use PR to elect their representatives – it is high time that Westminster caught up. Our political class has failed working people and our system is broken. It is time to change our democracy.”

Since the Unite policy conference would normally have taken place prior to the Labour conference it is quite clear the PR motion would have been carried.

If another large union, Unison, which abstained at Labour conference were now to come out in support of PR, a vote at the next Labour would be a formality.

Should we now regard PR as a de facto Labour policy?

BARRY EDWARDS, N7