Fresh impasse on new voting system

NO AGREEMENT has been reached with the government on some parts of the legislation that would introduce a referendum on the voting system and cut the number of MPs, Labour said yesterday.

The impasse again opens the possibility the bill may not become law in time for a referendum on adopting the alternative vote for Westminster elections to be held on 5 May.

A stand-off between the government and Labour was brought to a temporary halt last week, when the parties agreed to finish the marathon committee stage of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.