MPs have voted in favour of holding a UK-wide referendum on electoral reform next year.
If the referendum is held, voters will be asked if they want to retain the "first-past-the-post" system, or switch to the "alternative vote", which ranks candidates in order of preference.
Labour says that change is required to restore trust in politics. The Tories have opposed the plans, saying that it is a waste of much needed government funds.
MPs backed the referendum by 365 votes to 187 -- a majority of 178. However, the bill is not certain to become law before the next election, as it is expected to face opposition in the House of Lords.
