Straw hints at open list for Euro polls

Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, last night signalled a U-turn over the system of voting for the European elections to allow an open list, under which electors will have the chance to vote for individual candidates.

Mr Straw also told MPs there would need to be limits on parties' regional expenditure - seen at Westminster as a possible first step to limiting spending on general election campaigning. "Since it will be hard to distinguish between parties' regional and national expenditure we will need to consider very carefully the case for placing limits on national expenditure," he said.

The Government had planned closed lists allowing a vote for the party, but no choice of candidates.