Make My Vote Count

The campaign for voter choice and a more representative parliament

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Replying to the Lord Chancellor

for immediate release

Commenting on the Lord Chancellor's remarks, David Lipsey, chair of Make Votes Count said:

"On what planet has Charlie Falconer been dwelling since the election? You would think that the upsurge of popular fury at a system which so distorted the people's will would have penetrated even to his fastness in the House of Lords by now.

Even King Canute was not so deluded as to think he could actually reverse the tide.

Electoral reformers are not the kind of people who break windows and throw bricks. But they are determined and persistent. The government ignores them at its peril.

The truth is that the government has a flawed mandate. Its review of electoral systems, ironically overseen by the same Lord Falconer, gives it the chance to put that right for the next general election!"

The Make Votes Count coalition directors are meeting on Tuesday to agree plans to step up the campaign and create a very public storm for reform.

Notes for editors:

Lord Falconer was interviewed on the Today programme this morning.

The 2005 Labour manifesto reads: "Labour remains committed to reviewing the experience of the new electoral systems - introduced for the devolved administrations, the European Parliament and the London Assembly. A referendum remains the right way to agree any change for Westminster."

In 1997 Labour's manifesto said: " We are committed to a referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons."

Press contacts:

1. David Lipsey pager 08700 555 500 number 802 866

2. Nina Temple mobile 0777613 5970 office 0207928 2076