Cabinet support for referendum on scrapping first-past-the-post

Backing: Home Secretary Alan Johnson has called for the referendum to be held at the general election
12 April 2012

Ministers today raised the prospect of ditching Britain's current voting system in a move which will appeal to Liberal Democrats.

They signalled that a referendum on scrapping the first-past-the-post system could take place shortly after the next election if Labour clings onto power.

The vote would be on whether to introduce the alternative vote system, where people rank candidates in order of preference.

Amid growing talk of a hung Parliament after the election, expected in May, a Cabinet committee yesterday backed pushing ahead with the electoral reform agenda. The decision will be seen as an attempt to open the door for Labour and the Lib-Dems to work together in a hung Parliament.

Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg, though, has made clear that he would be more likely to back the party with the most votes rather than do a deal to prop up a Government without a clear mandate from the British people.

The Lib-Dems want a more radical proportional representation system but some of the party's MPs and activists would welcome any move away from first-past-the-post.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw is said to have won support from the Cabinet's democratic renewal committee to put electoral reform on the Commons agenda before the general election.

Several ministers, including Home Secretary Alan Johnson, have previously advocated holding the referendum on election day. However, the plans are not expected to have been introduced in time for a May poll.

But ministers are understood to be considering a "paving bill" for the shake-up which would be part of the manifesto. They could also advance the proposed referendum with an amendment to the Constitutional Reform Bill in the Queen's Speech.

"There are more discussions to be had, but there is no doubting our direction of travel," said a source.

The final decision on legislation, and its timing, for the electoral changes will be taken by the Cabinet.

The moves aim to corner the Tories as the only main party defending the first-past-the-post system, which has been criticised for failing to properly reflect the wishes of the electorate.

Recent polls have shown the Tory lead on Labour is closing.

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