The alternative vote

The cynics will be seeing this as a canny last ditch attempt to cling onto power.

Gordon Brown seems set to announce an offer to MPs on a referendum on electoral reform, which could see the end of the traditional first-past-the-post system in Westminster elections.

There is speculation that 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.

The question now is whether that vote could be held prior to a general election.

Whilst the system being proposed is not seen astruly proportional by campaigners for electoral reform,it satisfies those who wish to retain the traditional link of an MP to the constituency.

For Labour,the question to decide is whether holding the vote will expose the Tories as resistant to reform, at the same time, winning support from voters inclined to back the Liberal Democrats at the next election.