BBC reports that British “MPs will vote next week on holding a referendum after the general election.” If the bill passes (both houses–yes, the UK parliament is bicameral) and remains in place after the new parliament is elected (under current FPTP rules) this spring, the referendum, likely in October, 2011, would ask voters to approve the adoption of the Alternative Vote in future Westminster elections.
This is the very same issue discussed here on 2 December, so I will simply refer interested folks to that very same thread (which already has an extensive, and sometimes relevant, series of comments).
Those wanting to discuss whether AV is indeed better than FPTP may want to check out (and add to) the extensive thread that already exists on said topic.
Nick Robinson’s blog (also at BBC) is worth a read, too.
