'Every single person's vote should matter'

Unite delegate Jessie Jacobs made a powerful contribution to a debate on electoral reform at the Labour party conference on Monday (September 26).

Speaking in support of a motion on changing the voting system for general elections, Jessie said that her union Unite ?recognises and agrees that we need electoral reform and we must oppose first-past-the-post?. ?

She highlighted the need to ?begin a process for exploring and agreeing a system that replaces it?.

Jessie told of how conference has heard heart-breaking stories of ?families going to bed early to stay warm, of foodbanks running out of food?.

Jessie said she herself had met someone ?who was cooking outside on a fire because she didn?t want to use her gas?.

?So we might say why are we debating electoral reform in a cost of living crisis?? she asked.

?I?ll tell you why — it?s because every person in this nation matters and every single person?s vote should matter,? she noted to applause.

?Food workers who are falling behind on their rent; cleaners who are struggling to pay their gas bill; taxi drivers who are dealing with the cost of living crisis and the cost of fuel — it shouldn?t matter whether you live in Cheltenham, Chiswick or Chester; whether you live in Surrey, Sunderland or Stafford ? their vote should carry equal weight,? she went on to say.

Urging delegates to support the motion, Jessie concluded, ?If they want a new government with better pay, public railways, a greener, fairer future, then they should be able to have an equal say and an equal vote ? first-past-the-post does not deliver this.?

By Hajera Blagg