It’s time the Labour Party decided what they are doing electoral reform and stop playing silly political games in 1997 they were in favour, and the said in their manifesto:

“We are committed to a referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons. An independent commission on voting systems will be appointed early to recommend a proportional alternative to the first-past-the-post system.”

Obviously a clear commitment, but not carried out; therefore clearly a manifesto commitment broken.

Unfortunately, I cannot find any reference within their 2001 manifesto; possibly they had lost the will for any commitments – now that they had power!

In 2005, they had changed again; because they are yet again committed:

Labour remains committed to reviewing the experience of the new electoral systems – introduced for the devolved administrations, the European Parliament and the London Assembly. A referendum remains the right way to agree any change for Westminster.   

And then 2010, a change emphasis from commitment to ‘we will’ (this is a definite statement); perhaps the 114 Labour MPs who oppose AV should read their own manifesto – which they fought their own elections upon: 

Labour Party manifesto for the 2010 General Election [pdf]: 

“To ensure that every MP is supported by the majority of their constituents voting at each election, we will hold a referendum on introducing the Alternative Vote for elections to the House of Commons.”  

(Page 63, first column) 

And, don’t forget everyone Ed Miliband was the author-in-chief of this particular work of fiction (but at least he is committed to voting in favour).