Lib-Dems face up to defeat on PR voting

The Liberal Democrats' long-standing policy ambition to introduce proportional representation (PR) into parliamentary elections may be unachievable, their leader, Charles Kennedy, has admitted.

Mr Kennedy says government intransigence over voting reforms has made the prospects of PR ever more remote, and that the first-past-the-post system is unlikely to be replaced, even in local elections.

"I don't sense any thirst or appetite for this within the Government, full stop," he said.

Mr Kennedy's predecessor, Lord Ashdown, had pursued the Lib Dems' manifesto pledge of electoral reform with vigour, agreeing to co-operate with Labour in return for a referendum on the issue. But the Government went back on its promise after opposition from Labour MPs and the unions. The late Lord Jenkins of Hillhead also chaired a government commission on the subject.

Mr Kennedy's admission will dismay the party faithful, who see the policy as the embodiment of the democratic politics that the party represents. But he appears unconvinced that a Labour government that would lose significant numbers of seats by proportional representation is likely to sanction its introduction.

Before the last election, Tony Blair and Mr Kennedy struck a deal to carry out a review of electoral systems. This is due to start after the local council elections in May and will be conducted by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg. But in an interview with The Times, Mr Kennedy says he has almost given up hope of seeing PR introduced, whatever the outcome of the review.

"As things stand at the moment, PR for Westminster is unachievable," he said, urging party members to concentrate on winning as many seats as they can under the present system.