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PM to launch election reform plan PM to launch election reform plan
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is set to launch plans for reform of the voting system later.Gordon Brown is set to launch plans for reform of the voting system later.
He will confirm that MPs are to vote next week on whether a referendum will be staged as a step towards replacing the "first past the post" system.He will confirm that MPs are to vote next week on whether a referendum will be staged as a step towards replacing the "first past the post" system.
A public vote on the option of choosing MPs in an "alternative vote" system which ranks candidates in preference could take place after the election.A public vote on the option of choosing MPs in an "alternative vote" system which ranks candidates in preference could take place after the election.
The Tories accused the PM of wanting to "fiddle" the system while the Lib Dems said the plan did not go far enough.The Tories accused the PM of wanting to "fiddle" the system while the Lib Dems said the plan did not go far enough.
The Lib Dems back a fully proportional electoral system. The Lib Dems back a fully proportional electoral system in which parties get seats in parliament in proportion to the vote they get in the country.
Mr Brown is said to have secured agreement from senior ministers for the vote by MPs and would be seeking the approval of his Cabinet this morning.Mr Brown is said to have secured agreement from senior ministers for the vote by MPs and would be seeking the approval of his Cabinet this morning.
Major obstaclesMajor obstacles
In a speech in London at lunchtime, Mr Brown is expected to announce that a referendum on changing the longstanding Westminster voting system could be held by the autumn of 2011 if the idea is approved by MPs.In a speech in London at lunchtime, Mr Brown is expected to announce that a referendum on changing the longstanding Westminster voting system could be held by the autumn of 2011 if the idea is approved by MPs.
The proposal follows a protracted debate with senior Labour ranks about the merits of a move to a different system.The proposal follows a protracted debate with senior Labour ranks about the merits of a move to a different system.
WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE VOTE? Voters rank candidates in order of preference and anyone getting more than 50% in the first round is elected.If that doesn't happen, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their second choices allocated to the remaining candidates.This process continues until a winner emerges Q&A: Voting reform referendum Nick Robinson's blogWHAT IS ALTERNATIVE VOTE? Voters rank candidates in order of preference and anyone getting more than 50% in the first round is elected.If that doesn't happen, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their second choices allocated to the remaining candidates.This process continues until a winner emerges Q&A: Voting reform referendum Nick Robinson's blog
Under the AV system backed by Mr Brown - and currently used in Australia - voters rank candidates by preference on the ballot paper.Under the AV system backed by Mr Brown - and currently used in Australia - voters rank candidates by preference on the ballot paper.
If no candidate wins more than 50% of votes in the first round, the votes of the candidates with the least support are, in turn, redistributed until a candidate gets a majority of votes cast.If no candidate wins more than 50% of votes in the first round, the votes of the candidates with the least support are, in turn, redistributed until a candidate gets a majority of votes cast.
Its backers say the system, while not a form of proportional representation, is fairer than the current system - in which many MPs are elected on a minority of the overall vote - while retaining the link between MPs and constituencies.Its backers say the system, while not a form of proportional representation, is fairer than the current system - in which many MPs are elected on a minority of the overall vote - while retaining the link between MPs and constituencies.
The expenses scandal has fuelled calls for wider political reform but there are several major obstacles standing in the way of any change.The expenses scandal has fuelled calls for wider political reform but there are several major obstacles standing in the way of any change.
Mr Brown wants the referendum plan to be inserted as an amendment into the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill currently before Parliament but there may not be enough time for it to be approved before the next election.Mr Brown wants the referendum plan to be inserted as an amendment into the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill currently before Parliament but there may not be enough time for it to be approved before the next election.
Many Labour MPs remain sceptical, fearing it will damage their electoral prospects.Many Labour MPs remain sceptical, fearing it will damage their electoral prospects.
BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said the AV system was likely to be the only reform option acceptable to the many Labour MPs lukewarm about electoral reform.BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said the AV system was likely to be the only reform option acceptable to the many Labour MPs lukewarm about electoral reform.
A growing number of senior ministers are said to be keen on holding a referendum vote as a way of trying to depict the Conservatives as opponents of political reform.A growing number of senior ministers are said to be keen on holding a referendum vote as a way of trying to depict the Conservatives as opponents of political reform.
But our correspondent said there were risks for the prime minister, with the danger of a revolt on his own backbenches and the possibility the move will be seen as an electoral ploy to embarrass the Tories.But our correspondent said there were risks for the prime minister, with the danger of a revolt on his own backbenches and the possibility the move will be seen as an electoral ploy to embarrass the Tories.
One Labour backbencher, Austin Mitchell, said he did not believe the move will increase public engagement in politics as it would not result in "real change".
He told BBC Radio 5 live: "It's a suggestion for change by people who don't really want change.
"What the electorate wants is proportional representation... that's a far more sensible system."
Proportional optionProportional option
The Conservatives are strongly opposed to replacing the current system, saying it results in stable governments.The Conservatives are strongly opposed to replacing the current system, saying it results in stable governments.
"Gordon Brown avoided a leadership election, bottled a general election and now wants to fiddle the electoral system," said Conservative chairman Eric Pickles."Gordon Brown avoided a leadership election, bottled a general election and now wants to fiddle the electoral system," said Conservative chairman Eric Pickles.
The Liberal Democrats say the AV option is "a small step in the right direction" but not a substitute for a fully-fledged proportional system.The Liberal Democrats say the AV option is "a small step in the right direction" but not a substitute for a fully-fledged proportional system.
"If they agree it, this is a death-bed conversion from a party facing defeat at the general election," said its home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne, confirming the party would put forward its own amendment."If they agree it, this is a death-bed conversion from a party facing defeat at the general election," said its home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne, confirming the party would put forward its own amendment.
Electoral reform campaigners say the public should get a say on different voting systems in any referendum.Electoral reform campaigners say the public should get a say on different voting systems in any referendum.