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Doubt over electoral change plan Doubt over electoral change plan
(about 1 hour later)
Downing Street has admitted "time is tight" to get laws for a referendum on scrapping Britain's first past the post voting system through Parliament.Downing Street has admitted "time is tight" to get laws for a referendum on scrapping Britain's first past the post voting system through Parliament.
Gordon Brown wants to replace it with "alternative vote," where candidates are ranked in order of preference.Gordon Brown wants to replace it with "alternative vote," where candidates are ranked in order of preference.
The prime minister says this is a better way of choosing MPs but the Conservatives say the existing method is fair and "keeps extremists out".The prime minister says this is a better way of choosing MPs but the Conservatives say the existing method is fair and "keeps extremists out".
Up to 40 Labour MPs could also vote against the plans in the Commons later.Up to 40 Labour MPs could also vote against the plans in the Commons later.
The Labour rebels believe a change to alternative vote would benefit the least unpopular - rather than the most popular - candidates, and could cost Labour seats at future elections.The Labour rebels believe a change to alternative vote would benefit the least unpopular - rather than the most popular - candidates, and could cost Labour seats at future elections.
'Hugely damaged' 'Shady deal'
Some also see it as a political move designed to woo the Liberal Democrats in the event of a hung Parliament - something denied by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.Some also see it as a political move designed to woo the Liberal Democrats in the event of a hung Parliament - something denied by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.
Mr Benn referred to the expenses scandal, telling the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "It is about doing the right thing because we do need to restore trust in politics.
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 candidatesThis process continues until a winner emerges Would AV have changed history?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 candidatesThis process continues until a winner emerges Would AV have changed history?
Mr Benn told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "It is about doing the right thing because we do need to restore trust in politics.
"This is an opportunity to make a change to try to restore trust and confidence in the system which, of course, has been hugely damaged by what has happened.""This is an opportunity to make a change to try to restore trust and confidence in the system which, of course, has been hugely damaged by what has happened."
MPs are set to vote on an amendment to the Constitutional Reform Bill for a referendum on an alternative vote system later on Tuesday. MPs are now debating the Constitutional Reform Bill and will vote on an amendment backing a referendum on an alternative vote system later on Tuesday.
The amendment would pave the way for a referendum on voting reform next year - but the Tories will almost certainly overturn it if they win this year's election as they are strongly opposed to scrapping the "first past the post" system, which they believe guarantees strong and stable government. Conservative former minister Douglas Hogg started by attacking Mr Brown's motives, telling MPs the plan was "an election gimmick thought up by a discredited prime minister hoping to extend his time in office .. by a shady deal with the Liberal Democrats".
The amendment would pave the way for a referendum on voting reform next year - but the Tories will almost certainly overturn it if they win this year's election.
'What's the point?'
They are strongly opposed to scrapping the "first past the post" system, which they believe guarantees strong and stable government.
And with a general election expected in May, time is running out to get new legislation through Parliament.And with a general election expected in May, time is running out to get new legislation through Parliament.
This vote will illustrate better than any before the divisions between and within parties Ken Ritchie, Electoral Reform Society
As a result, several would-be Labour rebels told the BBC they would not vote against the government, one declaring: "It's dead before it's even started - so what's the point?"As a result, several would-be Labour rebels told the BBC they would not vote against the government, one declaring: "It's dead before it's even started - so what's the point?"
'Job for life'
The prime minister's official spokesman has conceded that there may not be enough time to get the referendum proposal on to the statute book, but said Mr Brown still believed it was the best option for reform.The prime minister's official spokesman has conceded that there may not be enough time to get the referendum proposal on to the statute book, but said Mr Brown still believed it was the best option for reform.
This vote will illustrate better than any before the divisions between and within parties Ken Ritchie, Electoral Reform Society
Announcing the plan last week, Mr Brown said it was part of a wider commitment to constitutional reform.
He said the alternative vote would let MPs keep their link to their constituencies and be elected with much broader support than just from those who picked them as their first choice.
"It offers a system where the British people can, if they so choose, be more confident that their MP truly represents them, while at the same time remaining directly accountable to them," Mr Brown said.
Labour pledged a referendum on electoral reform in its 1997 election manifesto but the idea was kicked into the long grass by Tony Blair after his landslide victory.Labour pledged a referendum on electoral reform in its 1997 election manifesto but the idea was kicked into the long grass by Tony Blair after his landslide victory.
Asked why he was looking at it now, Mr Brown said the damage done to Parliament's reputation by the expenses scandal had demonstrated the need to act.Asked why he was looking at it now, Mr Brown said the damage done to Parliament's reputation by the expenses scandal had demonstrated the need to act.
But Conservative leader David Cameron accused Mr Brown of trying to "fiddle" the electoral system "in a cynical attempt to save his own skin".
The Liberal Democrats intend to put forward their own amendment to the bill. The party says 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 deathbed conversion from a party facing defeat at the general election," said home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne.
He said Mr Brown's plans would not get rid of safe seats, which he claimed were to blame for the expenses scandal because too many MPs believed they had a "job for life".
'Giant leap'
Conservative Party chairman Eric Pickles said blaming the expenses scandal on the voting system was "ridiculous" and the answer to corruption was to cut the number of MPs, which the Tories are proposing to do.Conservative Party chairman Eric Pickles said blaming the expenses scandal on the voting system was "ridiculous" and the answer to corruption was to cut the number of MPs, which the Tories are proposing to do.
He said the "traditional British method" of first past the post helped to "keep extremists out".He said the "traditional British method" of first past the post helped to "keep extremists out".
The Liberal Democrats have put forward their own amendment to the bill. The party says the AV option is "a small step in the right direction" but not a substitute for a fully fledged proportional system.
The Electoral Reform Society said the vote would show the electorate where the parties stood on an important issue.The Electoral Reform Society said the vote would show the electorate where the parties stood on an important issue.
Chief Executive Ken Ritchie said: "This vote will illustrate better than any before the divisions between and within parties. It will send a powerful signal to voters where their MPs interests lie - whether they value job security or old prejudices over the needs of their voters."Chief Executive Ken Ritchie said: "This vote will illustrate better than any before the divisions between and within parties. It will send a powerful signal to voters where their MPs interests lie - whether they value job security or old prejudices over the needs of their voters."