Yesterday, Cat Smith resigned from the shadow cabinet after claiming she “wish[es] to focus more of my time in my Lancashire constituency in advance of the next election”.

She was extended an offer to keep her current position but refused.

The Labour MP for Lancashire wrote that she was a “longstanding advocate of proportional representation” and that she was disappointed Labour as a party “have not adopted a position which I believe to be fundamentally fairer and very much in keeping with the views of many of my constituents”.

Her resignation sparked debate about proportional representation, with some seeing it as a noble thing to do and others feeling like she abandoned them by leaving the shadow cabinet.

Thank you Cat. As a member of your CLP, I wholheartedly support your decision.

— Diane Hempsall (@dhemps) November 29, 2021

Cat you have been a real champion of young people and of youth work and I am devastated that we are losing you from the frontbench. Thank you also for using the opportunity to raise concerns about the continued exclusion of Jeremy from the PLP and the damage this is causing.

— Cllr Kerry Jenkins🌹 (@cummins23) November 29, 2021

Thank you for your work as an MP and a member of the Shadow Cabinet. In particular, I thank you for your support for #PR.
I am not a party member or a constituent (but close, Preston). I would be happy to campaign for you in a future election.
Yours, A #PR supporter for 50+ Yrs.

— Mike PEAK #FBPPR/DA4PR 💙 🇪🇺 AZ💉×2 PF💉×1 🙂😷 (@SamPEAK1951) November 29, 2021

Words: Ashna Nadesan

Subbing: Francesco Ghanaymi