Make My Vote Count

The campaign for voter choice and a more representative parliament

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27 Feb: a red letter day for the voting reform campaign

Breaking News Mon 27 Feb 1.30am - the Power Inquiry's final report has just been launched. The first editions of today's papers are out. And the big story is that we are winning the arguments on voting reform. The Inquiry calls for a change to a more proportional system. Gordon Brown signals he may be prepared to reopen the debate on electoral reform for the House of Commons. This is a significant day for the campaign.

1) Power to the People - the final report of the Power Inquiry - the final report of the Power Inquiry

The commission, chaired by the QC and Labour peer Helena Kennedy, calls for an end to the first-past-the post voting system. The report demands a new electoral system "to ensure that all votes count by having some influence on the final outcome of an election." Although it does not propose a specific method, it suggests its goals could be met by the single transferable vote system in which voters mark candidates in order of preference. The inquiry concludes that electoral reform is "one part of a wider 'jigsaw' of change required to re-engage the British people with their political system". More from the Independent's coverage here.

2) Gordon Brown signals that the electoral reform debate should be reopened

In a comment piece for today's Guardian Gordon Brown writes: "The Power report opens the way to renewed debate on issues from the role of parties and electoral reform to voting at 16."

3) The Independent re-activates its Campaign for Democracy.

The paper has a number of articles about the Power Inquiry. View them via this link . A challenge has also been set. John Rentoul writes a disparaging comment piece about electoral reform, which deserves a response from as many people as possible.

That's it for now. This page will be updated throughout the day, along with our blog, where you can add your comments and ideas.

Note for Media: Malcolm Clark, Co-ordinator of Make Votes Count, is available for comment and interview. (t) 020 7928 2076 / (m) 07733322148

Posted: 27/02/06

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