William Hague tackles the Prime Minister over the referendum on the voting system

Mr Hague accused Tony Blair of being indecisive by not committing himself to a referendum on voting reform during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

The Conservative leader pointed out the prime minister had committed himself to a referendum in the Labour manifesto.

William Hague: Governement has higher priorities

The Jenkins Commission will report on Thursday on electoral reform and is expected to recommend a system of proportional representation.

The prime minister replied: "We have made it clear we will state our position when the Jenkins Commission makes it report."

Mr Hague asked Mr Blair: "What's wrong with a simple yes or no?"

He said the prime minister had got himself into a position he could now not get out of.

The Labour party is believed to be split on the issue, with the Foreign Secretary Robin Cook being in favour of PR and Commons leader Margaret Beckett against.

Mr Hague said the prime minister was "blundering into constitutional upheaval".

He said: "There are higher priorities for our government with jobs being lost every day and hospitals facing crisis this winter."