UMR survey shows voters want MMP

A new survey has found a majority of voters don't want to change from the MMP electoral system.

The UMR opinion poll, released today, contradicts previous surveys which have shown the opposite.

A referendum will be held at the same time as the 2011 general election asking voters whether they want to change from MMP, and if they do they will be able to tick an alternative choice.

If a majority want a change, there will be another referendum at the time of the 2014 election which will be a run off between MMP and the most preferred alternative.

UMR used the proposed wording of the first referendum in its poll and the result was 48 per cent in favour or retaining MMP and 40 per cent in favour of changing the system.

Other recent polls have shown a majority in favour of changing the electoral system.

UMR questioned 750 voters and also asked them whether they wanted a referendum.

When they were told it was going to cost $20 million, 60 per cent didn't want one and 32 per cent did.

Voters were also asked about alternatives to MMP and UMR said opinion wasn't clear -- 41 per cent were unsure or didn't know enough to make a choice.

The Government hasn't announced which alternatives will be put on the referendum paper, but it is known they will include the old first-past-the-post system (FPP) and probably single transferable vote (STV) and supplementary member (SM).

UMR found that of those who did have an opinion, 29 per cent favoured FPP, 20 per cent STV and 9 per cent SM.

"It is likely to be a very close contest on whether there is a second referendum at all," UMR said when it released the findings.

The survey was carried out between October 22 and 27 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 per cent.

- NZPA