John Swinney: Unilateral move is unacceptable

The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to reveal its plans, while a professor at Strathclyde University says it is a move that Labour could ultimately do without.

It is believed the plans are aimed at giving smaller parties a greater influence in Scottish politics and will be considered alongside a review of constituency boundaries.

In future, Scotland's eight regions will be considered as one, with MSPs to stand for parliament in a single list, retaining the proportional representation method.

'Leaking plans'

The complex voting system for Scotland's 129 MSPs has caused friction in the past, with constituency members claiming that list MSPs have been electioneering in the hope of gaining the seat at the next poll.

At present 73 MSPs are elected to represent Scotland's various constituencies at the parliament, with a further 56 list members raising the total to 129.

But the proposed move has been criticised by Mr Swinney, who warned against 'diktats' from the prime minister impacting on Scotland's voting system.

Mr Swinney said: "It is unacceptable for Labour ministers in Scotland to try and scrap the Scottish Parliament's voting system unilaterally, leaking these plans to the media without a word of consultation.

Prof Curtice: "Labour cutting nose off to spite its face"

"These changes cannot be bounced on the Scottish Parliament.

"The Holyrood electoral system should be a matter for the Scots Parliament and any changes should be decided on the basis of all-party discussions in Scotland, not Tony Blair diktats from London."

Liberal Democrat shadow Scottish Secretary Michael Moore sounded a similar note as the SNP leader and called on Labour to reveal their plans immediately.

"We welcome moves to maintain the number of MSPs at 129, something we have urged for a long time.

"However Labour must come clean on their plans. Now that this has been leaked out, we must expect full details in the Queen's Speech next week."

The voting system may have changed by 2003

Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University says the proposed move could well challenge Labour's electoral stranglehold north of the Border.

Prof Curtice said: "The Labour Party may be cutting its nose off to spite its face, as this is clearly something that is not in Labour's interests.

"It itself would have fewer MSPs as a result, so also would their Liberal Democrat partners, and at the same time they would actually provide a potential platform for the far left and Green parties in Scotland."