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| MPs debate electoral reform plan | MPs debate electoral reform plan |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Jack Straw has said Tory MPs should have the "courage of their convictions" and back a referendum on ending the first past the post vote system. | Jack Straw has said Tory MPs should have the "courage of their convictions" and back a referendum on ending the first past the post vote system. |
| MPs are set to vote on plans for a referendum on an "alternative vote" system where candidates are ranked in order of preference. | MPs are set to vote on plans for a referendum on an "alternative vote" system where candidates are ranked in order of preference. |
| The justice secretary denied it was a "cynical ploy" by Labour or part of a deal with the Lib Dems. | The justice secretary denied it was a "cynical ploy" by Labour or part of a deal with the Lib Dems. |
| The Tories say the £80m cost of a public vote is a waste of money. | The Tories say the £80m cost of a public vote is a waste of money. |
| They say the current system results in stable governments and keeps out extremists - if they win the general election, expected to be held in May - they are expected to scrap any plans for a referendum. | They say the current system results in stable governments and keeps out extremists - if they win the general election, expected to be held in May - they are expected to scrap any plans for a referendum. |
| Ballot box 'secrecy' | Ballot box 'secrecy' |
| They have also accused Labour of using the issue to make overtures to the Liberal Democrats in the event of a hung Parliament. | They have also accused Labour of using the issue to make overtures to the Liberal Democrats in the event of a hung Parliament. |
| But in the Commons Mr Straw pointed out it was the British people who would decide whether to change the voting system, if a referendum was held. | But in the Commons Mr Straw pointed out it was the British people who would decide whether to change the voting system, if a referendum was held. |
| 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? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8507050.stm">Straw backs election night counts | |
| He said: "What we are proposing to do... is to provide for the money so that there can be a referendum over the next 20 months, in which it is not this House, or by any so-called deal, but the British people in the secrecy of the ballot box, can determine what system between first past the post and the alternative vote is to apply. | He said: "What we are proposing to do... is to provide for the money so that there can be a referendum over the next 20 months, in which it is not this House, or by any so-called deal, but the British people in the secrecy of the ballot box, can determine what system between first past the post and the alternative vote is to apply. |
| "I cannot for the life of me see why the Conservatives do not have the courage of their convictions ready to make their arguments in favour of first past the post... before the British people." | "I cannot for the life of me see why the Conservatives do not have the courage of their convictions ready to make their arguments in favour of first past the post... before the British people." |
| MPs are now debating the Constitutional Reform Bill and will vote on an amendment backing a referendum on an alternative vote system. | MPs are now debating the Constitutional Reform Bill and will vote on an amendment backing a referendum on an alternative vote system. |
| 'Election gimmick' | 'Election gimmick' |
| As the debate got underway, the government was attacked over the cost of the proposed referendum - "at a time of financial restraint". | As the debate got underway, the government was attacked over the cost of the proposed referendum - "at a time of financial restraint". |
| Conservative former minister Douglas Hogg also attacked Gordon 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". | Conservative former minister Douglas Hogg also attacked Gordon 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". |
| It's dead before it's even started Labour MP on the referendum plan | It's dead before it's even started Labour MP on the referendum plan |
| Any referendum would not be held before the general election - Mr Brown has said it would be held by the end of October 2011. | Any referendum would not be held before the general election - Mr Brown has said it would be held by the end of October 2011. |
| Downing Street has admitted "time is tight" to change the law and up to 40 Labour MPs could also vote against the plans in the Commons. | Downing Street has admitted "time is tight" to change the law and up to 40 Labour MPs could also vote against the plans in the Commons. |
| They 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. | They 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. |
| But several would-be Labour rebels told the BBC they would not vote against the government because the chances of it becoming law were slim, one declaring: "It's dead before it's even started - so what's the point?" | But several would-be Labour rebels told the BBC they would not vote against the government because the chances of it becoming law were slim, one declaring: "It's dead before it's even started - so what's the point?" |
| 'Best option' | 'Best option' |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| The Liberal Democrats have put forward their own amendment to the bill calling for a deadline of 30 May for any referendum, and for it to be held on the "single transferable vote" rather than the "alternative vote". | The Liberal Democrats have put forward their own amendment to the bill calling for a deadline of 30 May for any referendum, and for it to be held on the "single transferable vote" rather than the "alternative vote". |
| The Electoral Reform Society said the vote would "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". | The Electoral Reform Society said the vote would "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". |