Pledge to 'break spell' over reform

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has promised electoral reform campaigners a "once in a generation" opportunity to "break the spell of first past the post".

Speaking outside the Cabinet Office, the Lib Dem leader said a forthcoming referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) represented a "big first step" to a fairer system.

Mr Clegg is in the process of fleshing out details as to how the coalition intends to move forward with reform of both the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Under the coalition agreement, ministers signed up to a series of changes to the constitution including legislation to usher in five-year, fixed-term parliaments.

In addition, Lib Dem and Tory MPs would be whipped to support a referendum on AV.

Plans are also in place to establish a committee tasked with drawing up proposals to turn the House of Lords into a wholly or mainly elected upper chamber, based on proportional representation.

But despite the proposed changes, some campaigners have been left disappointed by the lack of commitment to PR for both houses.

Members of the Take Back Parliament Coalition met Mr Clegg as part of a listening exercise by the Government.

Ahead of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister greeted campaigners outside the Cabinet Office and received a petition of 55,000 signatures demanding "fair votes now".

Mr Clegg said he was a "passionate" supporter of reform. He added: "There will be a unique opportunity in the referendum to change the system, and finally turn our backs on first past the post, breaking the spell of first past the post."