Campbell commits to PR

Sir Menzies Campbell has restated his "absolute commitment" to securing proportional representation.

The move follows the Liberal Democrat leader's speech on Sunday, in which it was suggested that electoral reform for the House of Commons would not be one of his priorities in any post-election coalition deal with Labour.

Sir Menzies omitted to mention any change to the voting system as one of his "five tests" for Gordon Brown, with a senior official saying it was not "a deal-maker or a deal-breaker".

That prompted anger among Lib Dem activists and MPs who have long campaigned for PR.

However Sir Menzies told his party's Welsh conference in Swansea on Friday that the comments had been misinterpreted.

"Don't forget that it was by positioning ourselves as the driving force in the government of Wales's first term that over 100 Liberal Democrat policies were put into action," he said.

"You know, it was proportional representation that made that possible.

"Both the Welsh assembly and the Scottish Parliament are elected by a proportional system.

"A system that encourages parties to work together more, and to work against each other less. A system that ensures that every vote counts. A system which is fair, democratic and inclusive.

"So be in no doubt that my commitment to proportional representation - for every election - is absolute."

As the fallout from his spring conference speech on Sunday continues, The Lib Dems have highlighted Sir Menzies's leadership campaign pledge to vote down any Queen's speech "without a clear and unambiguous commitment for proportional representation".

The party also announced that the official who suggested the Lib Dems were turning away from their commitment to proportional representation would be resigning.

Head of press Mark Littlewood would leave in the next two months, the Lib Dems said, having indicated his desire to quit before the row erupted.

"The party is very grateful to Mark for playing an invaluable role in the party in the last general election campaign and in Menzies Campbell's first year as leader," Lib Dem chief executive Lord Rennard said.

"During his time as head of media the party expanded considerably the size and effectiveness of its media team. Mark indicated to the party his intention to move on last November."