A dummies guide to electoral reform

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has always said electoral reform would be a key point of negotiation in a hung parliament. As the three main parties continue to negotiate possible power-sharing deals, changing the system is central to the discussions.

There are three possible options on the cards, the first is Proportional Representation which applies to a wide range of voting systems. The Lib Dems expressed a paramount aim to achieve that. But each version of PR has the same aim - to closely link the percentage of votes candidates and political parties receive to the amount of seats they eventually take up in parliament.

The second is the Alternative Voting system which Labour and the Tories have suggested to the Lib Dems as a compromise. All constituencies would be the same size, and one MP per constituency would be elected. But instead of putting a cross next to your prefered candidate, you would instead rate all the candidates in numerical order.

Under the Alternative Vote system, parliament would look similar to how it does now, as it still relies on each candidate winning a majority.

The final one is the Alternative Vote Plus system is essentially composed of two elements. Voters would have two votes - one for a constituency MP, and one at county level. The final chamber would be made up of a proportion of first pass the post candidates and lists candidates.

The Alternative Vote Plus system would be used to elect the constituency MP. Voters would then select the other on a corrective basis from open party lists. That would mean voters would be able to choose the best candidate to represent their prefered party.