Voting reform might boost trust, says Brown

Reforming Britain's voting system to ensure all MPs have the backing of at least half of their local electors could help to address issues of trust in politics, Gordon Brown said today.

The Prime Minister appeared to back a move to the alternative vote (AV) system but told MPs the matter would be settled by a referendum.

Mr Brown has committed to holding a plebiscite on voting reform early in the next parliament if Labour win the general election.

During Commons question time, Labour MP Graham Allen (Nottingham North) said AV would mean every candidate would have at least 50% support locally and would strengthen the constituency link that is "so vital" for MPs.

Under AV voters rank candidates in order with the bottom candidate's second preferences transferred in each round until someone gets 50% of votes.

The system is used in Australia and for some elections in Ireland, but has attracted criticism from some reformers because it does not contain a proportional representation element.

Mr Allen called for "serious discussion" on electoral reform.

Mr Brown replied: "This must ultimately be decided by members of the public in a referendum.

"I think the advantage of the alternative vote system is that it retains the constituency link, which I believe is important not just to Members of the House here but to the whole population.

"Given the issues that have arisen about trust in politics, there is a case for every member of this House coming here with the support of more than 50 per cent of the electors as a result of the alternative vote system put to work.

"And I believe that there is a case for a referendum on this issue, and I believe that those people who wish to see reform will wish to see a referendum on that basis."