Parliament: MPs condemn 'flawed' closed-lists system

ELECTORAL REFORM

A LABOUR-DOMINATED committee of MPs has attacked the controversial voting system favoured by Tony Blair which would allow people to support only political parties, rather than individual candidates.

Ministers were yesterday embarrassed by the criticism of the all-party Scottish Affairs Select Committee, which also expressed fears about the "potential flaws" in the Government's blueprint for the Scottish Parliament, which opens next year. Seventy-three assembly members will be elected by the first-past-the-post system, topped up with 56 elected by proportional representation from party lists.

Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party, said the Government had run into trouble by not devolving enough powers to Scotland. The Government has opted for a "closed-list" system in which voters can only support a party. The House of Lords wants "open lists" so that people can vote for candidates.

Last night, Jack Straw paved the way for the adoption of the "closed lists" for next June's elections to the European Parliament,when he re-introduced the disputed voting method in the Commons. There would be enough time to introduce the "closed lists" if the legislation clears in the Lords by January.

The Home Secretary saidthere had been enough debate on the Bill and the Tories were abusing Parliament if they continued their opposition.