Labour’s electoral reform proposals are “not a true proportional system”
The Liberal Democrats will today seek to change the question to offer the choice of a more proportional system – the single transferable vote – instead of AV.They also want to bring forward the last date of the referendum to May next year, and close what they say is a loophole that would allow an incoming Conservative administration to abandon the vote without the need for fresh primary legislation.
Speaking on Sky News earlier today, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said that whilst the proposals are not a true proportional system this move “is a baby step in the right direction.”
However, Chris Huhne said that the alternative vote does not in his view “give people the real choice that I think voters want” namely, supporting the candidate rather than the party.
Chris Huhne ended by saying if the Liberal Democrats own amendments were not passed “we will support the government proposals.”
Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Howarth said: it is “unacceptable that Labour’s amendments would make it childishly easy for the next Government to kill a referendum without further legislation”.
David Howarth added:
“By acting purely out of naked self-interest, the Conservative Party has long been a roadblock to electoral reform.”
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