Majority back Westminster election ballot reform

MORE than three in five people back a switch to a more proportional Westminster voting system, a poll has found, in fresh evidence of a change in public attitudes towards reform.

More than three in five people back a switch to a more proportional Westminster voting system. Picture: PA

Thursday’s General Election will mark the fourth anniversary of the referendum in which the UK voted clearly against a move to abandon first-past-the-post (FPTP) in favour of the Alternative Vote (AV) system, by 68 per cent to 32 per cent.

But with the coalition having proved relatively stable and the traditional argument that FPTP produces decisive majorities apparently set to be undermined by another hung parliament, attitudes are shifting.

Demand for change has mounted during a campaign centred on a small number of highly-marginal seats and with smaller parties - notably Ukip - on course to fail to see significant support translated into Commons seats.

Now pollsters ORB - commissioned by The Independent - have found 61 per cent want the system reformed to better reflect such public backing, against 39 per cent wishing to stick with the present arrangements.

Younger voters are especially keen for reform - 68 per cent backing a move away from FPTP.