PM to speak on voting reform

Gordon Brown is set to ask MPs to take the first step towards introducing radical reforms to the UK's voting system. In a speech today, the Prime Minister is expected to reveal that he will ask MPs to vote through a planned referendum on reforms next week. If the pledge does become law, voters could be given a say on changing the current "first-past-the-post" system to a one in which they rank candidates by preference.

Some Cabinet ministers believe that holding the vote will expose the Tories as resistant to reform, while winning support from voters inclined to back the Liberal Democrats at the next election.