av

Lobby sources suggest that Gordon Brown will attempt to force through a change to the way that MPs are elected. In the Cabinet meeting later this morning it is believed that he will direct ministers to support the AV voting system. There are many different types of AV but the key points of the specific variant that Gordon thinks should be used are as follows

• Voters pick 2 candidates and number them one (1) and two (2)
  
• The number 1 votes are counted and if there is no clear victory for the Labour candidate then their number 2 votes are added to their total
• If there is still no clear victory for Labour the last placed candidate's votes will be added to the Labour Candidate's total
  
• Every unused vote is counted as a vote for Labour
• Every spoiled ballot is counted as a vote for Labour
• Every postal vote is a vote for Labour
  
• All ballots are immediately destroyed after the Labour candidate is declared victorious by the returning officer

To give Parliament enough time to pass the legislation required Gordon is prepared to wait as long as possible before calling the general election. "I'm prepared to wait as long as parliament needs to pass this legislation" he said. "It is vitally important to me that the people have a voice, and that parliament reflects the wishes of the people. The consensus is that the Labour Party is right for Britain and we must take steps to ensure that people do the right thing."