The Campaign for a referendum launched on Sunday with the following statement:

"The expense crisis reveals a nation governed by a political elite that has stopped listening and who are accountable to no one but their party machines. Too many MPs seem more interested in changing their homes than changing the world. Our society faces real problems - mass unemployment and growing poverty, the threat of climate chaos and an erosion of our civil liberties to name but three. These all require effective government working on behalf of the popular will. Yet our whole political system is close to collapse. We demand a new electoral system that makes everyone's vote count.

On the day of the next general election, there should be a binding referendum on whether to change to a more proportional electoral system. This should be drawn up by a large jury of randomly selected citizens, given the time and information to deliberate on what voting system and other changes would make Parliament more accountable to citizens.

We demand the right to be able to vote for a change."

Click here to add your name to the growing list of signatories calling for reform

Some interesting promotional materials from Canada ahead of the referendum on introducing STV in British Columbia on 12th May 2009.

During the Prime Minister's Press Conference this morning, Brown was asked about electoral reform. You can view the news conference on the number 10 website (skip to 56:23 for the relevant question), but I've written up a quick transcript.

Questioner: Prime Minister, they say that David Cameron is talking with the new leader of the Liberal Democrats about a new alliance for the next parliament. I can recall having heard you talk about your ideas about proportional representation. Would you consider changing the electoral system given that we always talk about more democracy in your system?

Brown: Well, I've just talked to Nick Clegg the new leader of the Liberal Party, I've congratulated him on his election and said that we look forward to working together on the issues that unite both our two parties and unite the country. And we have put forward wide ranging constitutional reforms, many of which the Liberals already support. We are going to publish a document on electoral reform in the near future as well and I think the whole constitutional agenda should unite all parties, but certainly I am absolutely sure that there is common ground between the Liberals and the Labour Party on making sure that the constitutional agenda is moved forward quickly. [...]

Well, he didn't say no!