Research from the Electoral Reform Society has revealed just how few votes were required to swing the general election from Labour had it taken place yesterday.

A combination of our winner takes all system and new parliamentary boundaries, mean that a mere 8000 votes could have delivered a new government in Britain according to the ERS. Dr Ken Ritchie, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society said:

“Discussion today will focus on the Prime Minister’s loss of nerve, on an election that never was. But there was never a clear imperative to call an election and if these numbers show one thing it is that this country simply does not need another unreconstructed election.”
“Brown’s opponents may be claiming that a new government needs a mandate. Well a mandate delivered by 8000 people in the swing seats is no mandate at all.
“We call on the Prime Minister and to go back to his Route map to constitutional reform. Because at our next general election (whenever that may be), he should know that the voters of Britain deserve better.”

Futher information and data in this regard can be found on the ERS website. Polly Toynbee has also written an interesting article on the issue in the Guardian today.