PM 'to offer electoral reform vote'

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Reports suggested Mr Brown had secured agreement from senior ministers for a vote as early as next week and is set to seek the approval of his Cabinet imminently.

He is expected to announce in a speech in London that MPs will vote next week on whether a referendum should be held after the general election on a switch to the Alternative Vote system.

Downing Street declined to confirm the move.

Mr Brown has already committed Labour to holding a referendum on AV early in the next Parliament.

The AV system allows voters to number the names on the ballot paper in order of preference, rather than simply placing an X next to their favoured candidate. Less popular candidates are eliminated and their votes redistributed until a winner emerges with an overall majority.

Although it is not regarded as truly proportional by campaigners for electoral reform, AV is favoured by some because it maintains the constituency link, ensures elected MPs have the support of at least 50% of voters and allows supporters of minority parties to express their opinion through their first vote while giving their second preference to a mainstream party.

Mr Brown is expected to seek parliamentary approval for a referendum to be conducted by the autumn of 2011 by adding the issue to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, currently going through Parliament.

MPs could vote on it before the House of Commons rises for its half-term recess on Wednesday next week. There is no proposal for AV to be used in the upcoming general election, which must be held by June 3.