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Clegg to make reforms statement Clegg under fire over referendum
(about 4 hours later)
The statement may be broader than just the planned voting referendum Mr Clegg criticised "synthetic fury" over plans to reduce MP numbers
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to make a House of Commons statement on Monday about electoral reform. Deputy PM Nick Clegg has come under fire for planning a voting system referendum on the day of elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mr Clegg's statement to MPs, expected to take place at 1530 BST, is likely to reveal more details of next May's planned referendum on changing the general election voting system. He told the Commons the referendum on switching from first-past-the-post system was planned for 5 May 2011.
But it is also set to cover wider reforms, including five-year fixed-term parliaments and cutting MP numbers. Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd said it smacked of "contempt", Tory MP Bernard Jenkin said it would "artificially" inflate turnout.
The statement might also include plans to reform the House of Lords. Mr Clegg said it would cost millions to hold a referendum on another day.
He said "additional cost, complexity and delay" would arise if a referendum were planned for another day.
'Major U-turn'
In his statement he also outlined plans for five-year fixed term Parliaments - and said 66% of MPs would be needed to force an earlier election.
That is higher than the 55% of MPs the coalition had said would be needed for Parliament to be dissolved and follows a row over the figure, which was opposed by Labour and some Tory MPs.
He also told MPs that if a government was not formed within 14 days of a prime minister losing a confidence vote an election would be held.
Labour's Jack Straw said raising the level to 66% was a "major U-turn".
Mr Clegg's statement covered wider reforms, including reducing the number of MPs from 650 to 600 - which he said would save £12m a year. Reviewing constituency boundaries would "create fewer and more equally sized constituencies".
AV referendum
But shadow justice secretary Jack Straw warned against the government trying to combine electoral reform with "wholly partisan" plans to reduce the number of MPs in a way that discriminated against Labour.
An agreement to hold a referendum on changing the voting system to the "alternative vote" (AV) was a key part of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition deal.An agreement to hold a referendum on changing the voting system to the "alternative vote" (AV) was a key part of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition deal.
But it must go through Parliament, where many Tory and Labour MPs oppose such a reform.But it must go through Parliament, where many Tory and Labour MPs oppose such a reform.
The BBC understands a referendum on changing from the current first-past-the-post system to AV is planned for 5 May 2011.
It would mean the referendum is held on the same day as the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and English local elections.
Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said on Friday that the referendum commitment was "central to the coalition government's programme".
But he said: "He will be campaigning against AV. I can't predict precisely how the campaign will unfold but clearly he is going to be asked his views during that campaign and he will make them clear.
"His view is that he is not in favour of it."
'Baby step'
Most Conservative MPs are against a change to AV - but they will be expected to vote for the referendum bill as it was a key component of the coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats, who do want it.Most Conservative MPs are against a change to AV - but they will be expected to vote for the referendum bill as it was a key component of the coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats, who do want it.
They will then be free to campaign against AV in the referendum.They will then be free to campaign against AV in the referendum.
Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said on Friday he would campaign against AV in the referendum.
If held on 5 May 2011, it would mean the referendum is held on the same day as the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and English local elections.
The Conservatives argue the existing first-past-the-post system guarantees strong, stable government, while Lib Dems argue it is unfair on smaller parties and allows candidates to be elected on the support of only a minority of constituents.The Conservatives argue the existing first-past-the-post system guarantees strong, stable government, while Lib Dems argue it is unfair on smaller parties and allows candidates to be elected on the support of only a minority of constituents.
Under the proposed AV system, voters rank candidates in order of preference.Under the proposed AV system, voters rank candidates in order of preference.
Anyone getting more than 50% in the first round is elected, otherwise the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and voters' second choices allocated to those remaining. This process continues until a winner emerges.Anyone getting more than 50% in the first round is elected, otherwise the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and voters' second choices allocated to those remaining. This process continues until a winner emerges.
The Lib Dems would prefer a different voting system - the Single Transferable Vote - which they believe is a more proportional system than AV.The Lib Dems would prefer a different voting system - the Single Transferable Vote - which they believe is a more proportional system than AV.
But speaking before the general election, Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg told the Independent newspaper: "AV is a baby step in the right direction - only because nothing can be worse than the status quo."But speaking before the general election, Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg told the Independent newspaper: "AV is a baby step in the right direction - only because nothing can be worse than the status quo."