WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VOTING REFORM FOR WESTMINSTER?

In December 1997, following its landslide victory, New Labour established the Independent Commission on the Voting System to consider alternatives to first-past-the-post for general elections. Chaired by the Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Jenkins, the commission was asked to observe the requirement for broad proportionality, the need for stable government, an extension of voter choice and the maintenance of a link between MPs and geographical constituencies. Ten months later, the Jenkins Report was published, providing details of a unique hybrid system named 'AV top-up'.

AV+, as it became known, suggested that voters should have two votes.

The first vote was to be cast using another majoritarian system: the alternative vote (AV). This was to account for 80 - 85% of MPs (530-560 MPs), the only difference being that MPs would have to gain 50%+1 votes in their constituencies, as opposed to their current majorities of as little as 1 vote more than the next candidate. This element of AV+ suits both Labour and Conservative parties as it would continue to provide geographical representation and strong governments.

The remaining 15 - 20% of seats would be filled from the second vote, where electors vote for a party. The party provides lists of candidates, who are then elected from the list as 'top-up' MPs. The concept of the second vote is supported by the smaller political parties as it would increase their representation at Westminster.

Campaigners on issues such as gender, age, race and disability are also in favour of the 'top-up' system, as it enables parties to put forward non-traditional candidates.

The main disadvantage of the second vote is that it creates two types of MP, and the non-constituency based MP may be able to achieve quicker promotion than the constituency MP, who will have a heavier workload.

Whatever the merits of the AV+ system, it has been ' kicked into the long grass' by the Labour government. There is little enthusiasm among Labour MPs for any change(and even less among Conservative MPs), as a more proportional system would threaten their seats and, possibly, the chances of forming a one-party government with a large majority.