Ministers shy away from PR pledge

Ministers appear split on the promise contained in Labour's manifesto to hold a referendum on proportional representation before the next general election.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Chancellor Gordon Brown and leader of the Commons Margaret Beckett have distanced themselves from the commitment although Culture Secretary Chris Smith said he supports a referendum.

A commission headed by Lord Jenkins into electoral reform is due to report next month.

Mrs Beckett told BBC One's On The Record she was sceptical about change.

She said: "I think one of the things that has bedevilled the debate, not just on the left but across British politics, has been this assumption that somehow there is a kind of answer to everything in changing our electoral system.

"There's no such thing as a perfectly fair electoral system. There are different degrees of fairness in different choices."

Mrs Beckett said she expected the party would have delivered its manifesto commitments by the next election although she refused to give a commitment on the exact timetabling of a referendum.

She said: "I certainly can't commit what's going to be in the next Queen's speech, and we have to look at our electoral timetable and our legislative timetable, but all I can say to you is, it is a manifesto commitment and this government has set itself to carrying out its manifesto commitments."

Unconvinced by PR

Mr Prescott earlier told BBC One's Breakfast With Frost programme he had never been "a fan of proportional representation".

He said: "I think the country is not very happy about it."

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Chancellor Gordon Brown echoed Tony Blair's comments that reform proposals could have to be taken as a whole with House of Lords reform

He said he remained to be convinced about PR for the Commons.

Mr Brown said: "I think what people have said about the House of Commons, and Tony Blair has said it himself, is that he remains to be convinced because the link between an MP and the constituency - when you are drawing from that parliament a government - is very important indeed."

Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett said on Sunday Labour was committed to a referendum but acknowledged it could be combined with Lords reform.

Culture Secretary Chris Smith has come out strongly in favour of electoral reform and said he hoped a referendum would be introduced this parliament.

Mr Smith told GMTV's Sunday Programme he believed Lord Jenkins will propose changes to the electoral system.

He said: "I've always been in favour personally of a change in the electoral system.

"I've always been what you'd probably call an Alternative Vote man, because I think we can make the system fairer.

"It depends very much on what Roy Jenkins recommends and the flavour of the public debate that follows.

" I would certainly hope that we could do it sooner rather than later, but let's first wait and see what he comes up with."