MPs back PR bill in vote, a symbolic win for electoral reform campaigners – as it happened

Sarah Olney brought in a private member’s bill on PR. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA

5.41pm GMT

Afternoon summary

• MPs have voted narrowly in favour of introducing a proportional representation electoral system, in a move that will almost certainly not change the law but is nonetheless a symbolically significant moment for UK politics.

• Downing Street has said it will not change the law to allow the Parthenon marbles to be given to Greece and that it is up to the British Museum to decide if there is any other mechanism that could allow them to be returned to Athens. Although Keir Starmer met his Greek counterpart today, where the topic was discussed, No 10 said they were mostly focusing on other issues. (See 1.44pm and 4.36pm.)

• The leader of the Welsh Tories, Andrew RT Davies, has resigned after dismal UK general election results and concern over comments he has made on subjects ranging from halal meat to the country’s divisive 20mph speed limit law.

• Victims of stalking will be given the right to know the identity of the person who is doing it, Jess Phillips, the UK safeguarding minister has said, as part of a wider look at whether legislation connected to the crime is fit for purpose.

• South Western Railway will be the first train operator nationalised under the Labour government, ministers are expected to announce this week.

5.37pm GMT

Tim Montgomerie, founder of ConservativeHome website, joins Reform UK

Tim Montgomerie, who founded and for many years edited the ConservativeHome website and how briefly worked as an adviser to Boris Johnson in No 10, has joined Reform UK, the party has announced.

After 33 years in the Conservative Party, Tim Montgomerie, former adviser to Boris Johnson and creator and editor of Conservative Home, has joined Reform UK. pic.twitter.com/Mb2aL6DTnC

— Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) December 3, 2024