Compass, Progress and the Fabians join forces to pressure PM on reform

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

The heads of Labour’s three biggest independent pressure groups have written a joint letter to Gordon Brown, calling on him to act “decisively” to legislate for a referendum on electoral reform.

The full text of the letter to the PM from Neal Lawson, Jessica Asato and Sunder Katwala says:

Dear Gordon,

British voters’ faith in both politics and politicians has been damaged by last year’s expenses crisis.

You said in your speech to Labour Party conference that part of the response to restore trust in politics would be to give the people a say on how their MPs are elected.

While you promised a manifesto commitment to hold a referendum on the Alternative Vote, this means no progress will be made until after an uncertain General Election. However, right now there is an opportunity for you to show that you are a reforming Prime Minister.

As you know there is a last chance to amend the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill this week so that the government might set out paving legislation for a referendum on AV following the election. Our democracy needs you to take that decisive action now. Soundings have been taken, voices heard, arguments made. Now the spotlight is on you, we trust you to make the right decision.

Sunder Katwala, Fabian Society (personal capacity)

Neal Lawson, Compass

Jessica Assato, Progress

The cabinet were due to discuss what to do on the voting system when it met on Monday, but a disappointed Vote for Change coalition tweeted me that evening, saying:

Gordon Brown is now thought to favour legislation on a referednum, but Allegra Stratton of the Guardian says Ed Balls and others are the opponents’ “guys in cabinet” blocking the move.