New Electoral Reform in the United Kingdom - „AV Plus" (in Connection with the Evolution of Electoral Law and Electoral System)

In the field of electoral systems Britain has long held out as a bastion of stability, as the country seen at least likely to undergo fundamental electoral reform. But it would be entirely wrong to paint a picture of Britain as a country which has never considered electoral reform. A review of the historical debate reveals a series of failed initiatives to reform electoral system, suggesting that the matter has never been entirely put to rest. The current situation dating from the election of the new Labour government in 1997, pro¬vides that the electoral reform issue is again on the top of political agenda. The Independent Commission on the Voting System (the Jenkins Commission) produced the report in October 1998. Its central recommendation is that the best alternative for Britain to first-past-the post system is a two-vote mixed system which can be described as either „limited AMS“ or „AV Top-up“ or „AV Plus“. Prospects for a reform are uncertain since different viewpoints are held within the ruling Labour Party and since public opinion remains ambivalent.