Voting reform

'Proportional representation for local government would destroy the link between local communities and their councils.'
Sir Ken Jackson, the AEEU's general secretary, 8 th March 2000.

Prime Minister to reassure MSPs they are making devolution work

By Dean Nelson and Alison Hardie in the Scotsman

TONY Blair, the Prime Minister, will today attempt to lift demoralised MSPs as Labour braces itself for a damaging row over proportional representation which threatens to tear Scotland's coalition government apart.

Mr Blair will tell MSPs that they are making a success of devolution when he becomes the first Prime Minister to address the Scottish parliament. However, Mr Blair's comments come as senior figures in his party and the trade unions are preparing for a protracted internal battle over PR in local government elections.

Labour is bitterly divided on the issue and yesterday three senior ministers expressed serious concerns over any change which could undermine local support.

One union leader said last night that PR for the Scottish parliament had been a disaster for Labour and warned: "We certainly don't want another."

The issue is a key part of the partnership with the Liberal Democrats, and any backtracking by Labour could trigger the most damaging split since the row over abolishing student tuition fees.

Mr Blair will attempt to calm those MSPs who fear the standing of devolution has been damaged by the extended run of "crises" the government has suffered since it came to power last May. He will tell MSPs they have been doing a good job and reassure them that "no-one is questioning the parliament".

Labour's internal row over PR erupted yesterday, when trade union delegates to Labour's Scottish conference in Edinburgh accused the leadership of blocking a motion rejecting PR to save Donald Dewar, the First Minister, from embarrassment.

Sir Ken Jackson, the AEEU's general secretary, said: "Proportional representation for local government would destroy the link between local communities and their councils.

"PR in Scotland has already produced one disaster for Labour, we certainly don't need another. I'm confident that given the right to debate it, activists in Scotland will reject PR."

Scottish Labour said the AEEU motion was rejected because the issue could be raised during a debate on Sunday on local government and housing.

A Labour executive statement to the conference will attempt to calm the row by reassuring activists that they will be fully consulted before any decision is taken.

The Labour executive has tried to shift the emphasis away from PR to "electoral reform", the remuneration of councillors and maintaining the ward-councillor link in any reform. Labour MSPs and councillors fear any system which weakens that link by introducing top-up list members, would have a devastating impact on Labour's grass-roots organisation and support.

Last night, one executive source said: "The overwhelming majority of Labour MSPs are against PR. It is partly political self-interest. The political implications of losing many seats are enormous. But we have also seen the way the Nationalists have abused the list system in the Scottish parliament. We don't want that in local government."

A senior Labour source said: "It's going to be an explosive session [at the Labour conference]. I can't see delegates sitting back and listening. The audience won't be tame and Donald won't like it."

The Lib Dem's parliamentary convener, George Lyon, said that it was crucial that PR remain on the coalition's agenda. He said: "Fair votes is a very important issue for the Lib Dems and it was crucial that the Partnership Agreement committed the executive towards moving on this issue.

"Recent polls have borne out what we have always believed, that the people of Scotland want to see local councils representing all the community."

The government has established the Kerley committee to produce recommendations on electoral reform, but Labour members of the executive have begun to shift the emphasis away from PR.

The job of defending the government's position has been given to Frank McAveety, the local government minister. One Scottish executive member predicted he will be given a rough reception. "Convincing rank-and-file Labour members at conference of this won't be easy," he said.

The former Tory prime minister Sir Edward Heath has called for an English parliament to address the imbalance caused by the creation of a Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly.

March 9 th 2000

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