LIBERAL Democrats have been pushing the case for a new voting system in Britain for many years and now it has supporters in other parties.

Some Tories are in favour of proportional representation while in Brighton and Hove encouraging noises have been made by council leader Lord Bassam and Kemp Town MP Des Turner. What they are all stressing is that the link between constituency or ward and MP or councillor must be retained in any change. The big advantage of PR is that it enables smaller parties to be better represented at Westminster or on councils. But the disadvantages are that PR can lead to permanent coalitions giving too much power to minorities and that the voting systems are often complex. Green councillor Pete West and Lib Dem Lewes MP Norman Baker have shown how seats can be won even under the present system. The case for change will have to be overwhelming before a Labour Government with a large majority will accept it.

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