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Introduction
The Jenkins Commission, set up under Labour after its landslide win at the last election, has been examining how voting systems operate in other countries, before recommending one for future UK elections.
Westminster's traditional way of electing MPs has faced calls for reform for many years from those favouring a system of proportional representation. Those who support the current system, called First Past the Post, are equally passionate.
There is a large variety of systems of Proportional Representation. The following pages explain the basic systems, say where they are used, and set out some of the arguments in favour and against each one. Graphs illustrate the projected impact on the UK Parliament if the 1997 general election had been fought under that system.