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06/07/2010
Clegg Announces Date Of Voting Referendum
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced that a referendum on voting reform will be held on May 5, 2011 - the same day that elections will take place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The referendum, which was part of the Liberal Democrats coalition deal with the Conservatives, will allow the public to vote on whether they think to change the voting system, from using the current first-past-the-post system to the alternative vote system, a form of proportional representation.
The Liberal Democrats are hugely in favour of voting reform, preferring the Single Transferable Vote system. However, many Tories and Labour MPS are against such a change and Prime Minister David Cameron has already said that he would campaign for a no vote in the referendum.
Mr Clegg also unveiled a number of other proposals aimed at reforming the way the political system works in the Commons on Monday. These include cutting the number of MPs from 650 to 600, in order to save around £12 million a year in pay, pensions and expenses, and the introduction of five-year fixed-term Parliaments.
(KMcA/GK)
The referendum, which was part of the Liberal Democrats coalition deal with the Conservatives, will allow the public to vote on whether they think to change the voting system, from using the current first-past-the-post system to the alternative vote system, a form of proportional representation.
The Liberal Democrats are hugely in favour of voting reform, preferring the Single Transferable Vote system. However, many Tories and Labour MPS are against such a change and Prime Minister David Cameron has already said that he would campaign for a no vote in the referendum.
Mr Clegg also unveiled a number of other proposals aimed at reforming the way the political system works in the Commons on Monday. These include cutting the number of MPs from 650 to 600, in order to save around £12 million a year in pay, pensions and expenses, and the introduction of five-year fixed-term Parliaments.
(KMcA/GK)
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02 February 2010
Brown Moots Electoral Reform
PM Gordon Brown has proposed scrapping the current voting system for Westminster elections. Should Labour win another term in Government, the Prime Minister said his party would end 'first past the post' ballots and replace them with an 'alternative vote' system. Presently voters put a single 'x' beside their preferred parliamentary candidate.
Brown Moots Electoral Reform
PM Gordon Brown has proposed scrapping the current voting system for Westminster elections. Should Labour win another term in Government, the Prime Minister said his party would end 'first past the post' ballots and replace them with an 'alternative vote' system. Presently voters put a single 'x' beside their preferred parliamentary candidate.
15 April 2005
Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
27 January 2009
New Plans Target Absent Parents
Absent parents who do not pay child support could have their passports and driving licences seized, under new proposals. The Department for Work and Pensions are to take the measure, part of the Welfare Reform Bill, to the Parliament as part of an attempt to recover some of the country's estimated £4 billion in unpaid maintenance bills.
New Plans Target Absent Parents
Absent parents who do not pay child support could have their passports and driving licences seized, under new proposals. The Department for Work and Pensions are to take the measure, part of the Welfare Reform Bill, to the Parliament as part of an attempt to recover some of the country's estimated £4 billion in unpaid maintenance bills.
03 April 2006
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
27 August 2004
All-postal voting should be abandoned, says watchdog
The all-postal voting pilots that were carried in northern England during the European elections were marred by problems and should not be pursued in the future, the Electoral Commission has found.
All-postal voting should be abandoned, says watchdog
The all-postal voting pilots that were carried in northern England during the European elections were marred by problems and should not be pursued in the future, the Electoral Commission has found.
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