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A hidden tipping point? The rise of the non-voting party at the 5 May UK Election has put proportional representation on the agenda, argues.

Article Excerpt
Since the British general election of 5 May, something quite unexpected has been happening. Everyone knows that Tony Blair's New Labour Party won. But it's becoming clearer that something else won too--not a set of candidates or policy ideas, yet something arguably more significant than anything people directly voted for in May. Beneath the familiar showtime of Westminster politics, a tipping-point may have been reached. And if that's the case, everything will soon be changed.

There has been a deep shift of attitude within the British electorate. Commentators recognised it, but most have dismissed it as a transient mood or fashion. Now, however, stronger evidence for its seriousness is emerging--and indeed, showing itself inside the victorious party itself. Far from revelling in complacency, today's news is of a growing number of New Labour representatives and party workers joining frustrated voters and the less party-biased commentators in troubled surmise. Just how and why did they win on the 5 May? Can such a farce ever be repeated? For sound reasons, people are worried about whether such a system can continue at all without serious reforms.

Many readers will remember the overall result. Blair's party won a...

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