PR may be in place for 1999 European Elections

PR for 1999 European Elections

The PR proposals are contained in a joint paper on electoral reform written by the Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Home Secretary Jack Straw. It is expected to be approved by the Cabinet tomorrow. Although a target date of 1999 has been included in the paper it does not confirm that this date can be met. Downing Street has signalled that the will exists to find the Parliamentary space required to introduce the reform measures in time but that it would be a tight deadline. The Bill outlining the changes may be published in the autumn. In order to speed up the process, the reforms are likely to be introduced into the Lords before passing through the Commons - a device designed to avoid the legislative log-jam in the Commons.

The Government stresses that PR for European elections does not mean reform of the UK system

Downing Street, however, was quick to play down speculation that these measures could lead to reform of the Westminster, 'first past the post', voting system. A spokesman explained "What people shouldn't do is imagine this says anything about PR for Westminster, because it doesn't. The Prime Minister has long agreed with the view that it is far more apposite to have PR for the European Parliament because you are not electing a government."

Despite these warnings supporters of PR are excited at the prospect of reform. Although worried about the time limit they believe that reform of the voting system for election to the European Parliament will strengthen their push for the Prime Minister to call for a referendum on whether the system for electing UK MPs should also be changed. The Liberal Democrats constitutional affairs spokesman, Robert Maclennan, said that the changes for the proposed changes "will be most welcome".

The Conservative spokesman on the constitution, Michael Ancram, focused on how PR might impact on the Westminster Parliament. Reform of the House of Commons, he believes, would have severe implications for the whole constitution, with traditional balances being lost.