Report proposes overhaul of UK voting system

But it would face a battle even to get to a proposed referendum early next century because of Opposition from MPs from all parties, and could take eight years to implement.

Judging by Friday’s press coverage, there was little sign of Blair’s intentions.

“Blair backs radical plan for voting overhaul,” wrote The Financial Times. “Blair to stall over reform of elections,” countered The Daily Telegraph.Under the system, known as `alternative vote plus’, electors would cast two votes.

The first would be for a constituency MP, with second and third preference votes of weaker candidates redistributed until there is a winner.

The second would befor a “top-up” of 15 to 20 per cent of MPs elected on a regional basis according to their party’s share of the vote.

Lord Jenkins, who drew up the report, said it was “unrealistic” to expect the system to be in place for a general election in less than eight years.He said the new system would offer voters greater choice and be fairer to smaller parties, although increasing the chances of a coalition government.

Blair acknowledged that the report made a “well-argued and powerful case” for reform, but did not set any date for a referendum, leading to speculation that he wanted to put it off as long as possible. He had indicated in his election campaign that he would hold a referendum on the issue before the next legislatives in 2002.

The fact is MPs from his own ruling Labour Party are divided on the issue, including the Cabinet.

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook is in favour of proportional representation, but most of the Cabinet, including deputy premier John Prescott and Home Secretary Jack Straw,are against it. If the system had been applied to the general elections in May last year, Labour would have 51 fewer seats than now, while the Liberal Democrats, the third party in parliament, would nearly double in size to 89.

The British press was equally divided.

The Financial Times said the plan appeared “reasonably fair” and was good enough to be put to a referendum for the people to decide.

The Independent also gave its backing, as did The Express saying it would be fairer and bring stable government, and the tabloid Mirror — “real power to people”.

Opponents included The Times which questioned the need for change, as well as The Daily Telegraph which branded the proposals “a muddle”. The Daily Mail thought the report “should be widely debated. And then left to gather dust”. The mass-selling Sun was more blunt. The system was “crazy”, it wrote.