Lib Dems accuse Reform UK leader of “chancing it”, though few see voting reform as a priority.
4th November 2025
Nigel Farage has been criticised by the Liberal Democrats after refusing to say whether Reform UK still supports proportional representation (PR) — but around Stockport, most people seem far more focused on day-to-day concerns than on voting systems.
At a press conference this week, the Reform UK leader declined to confirm if his party remains committed to electoral reform. The Lib Dems swiftly accused him of hypocrisy, saying he was abandoning principle now that his party stands to gain under the current system.
Lisa Smart, the Local LibDem MP and also serves as a senior Lib Dem figure nationally, was quick to weigh in.
“Nigel Farage is a chancer and a grifter,” she said. “He’s following the Trump playbook—changing the rules to suit himself.”
Smart’s remarks made headlines, though not everyone in Romiley is convinced that PR is the hill worth fighting on. Many residents say they’re more worried about the cost of living, destruction of our loved green spaces, and NHS waiting times than about how MPs are elected.
One local shop owner told the Gazette: “To be honest, I just want to know what anyone’s doing about business rates and potholes. I couldn’t care less what system they use to count the votes.”
Critics of Smart suggest she enjoys the media spotlight more than rolling up her sleeves locally. While she has long backed PR, some residents question whether this is a real priority for the community.
Reform UK’s manifesto last year pledged support for proportional representation, but deputy leader Yasmin Yusuf has since hinted that the party might drop the idea, warning it could bring “gridlock” to Parliament.
Still, for all the back-and-forth in Westminster, PR looks unlikely to top the list of voter concerns in Romiley anytime soon.
