JACK Straw has accused the coalition government of attempting to 'gerrymander' in a debate about electoral reform.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg yesterday announced a referendum on whether to adopt the alternative vote system would be held on May 5 2011. Speaking in Parliament, he also confirmed plans to reduce the number of constituencies from 650 to 600 and equalise the size of constituencies.

Mr Straw, the Blackburn MP and shadow Justice Secretary, said voting reform was being used as “cover for outrageously partisan measures” to change boundaries.

He called it an attempt to gerrymander, the deliberate changing of boundaries to aid a political group.

Mr straw also called for a consultation on the date.

Mr Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, hit back, claiming the move was “based on the simple principle of fairness.”