Electoral reform referendum “to be announced next week as set for May 2011”

Left Foot Forward’s story will pile more pressure on David Cameron to reconsider his stance.

By James Macintyre Published 01 July 2010 18:44

Following my report that David Cameron is "considering" backing a "Yes" vote in a referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) in order to seal the deal with the Liberal Democrats, Left Foot Forward has just broken the story that the referendum will be announced next week, and held next May.

This further suggests that, in the wake of their providing crucial cover for Tuesday's Budget, the Liberal Democrats are reasserting their influence on the coalition. And it adds more pressure on Cameron to make it clear to Lib Dems, both in parliament and in the country at large, whether or not he is serious about sharing power.

For if Nick Clegg fails to win any real change to Britain's warped electoral system, the Lib Dem participation in this Tory-led government will itself surely be deemed a failure.

Tags: Electoral Reform

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15 comments

Fri, 2010-07-02 20:44 — clem the gem (not verified)

I really think that some of us are far too certain of either this coalition self-destructing, or our ability in the current climate to beat them.
Have a look at the balance of forces at the moment - and reflect upon where we are likely to be in two or three years' time .Remember the last Tory/Liberal coalition lasted from 1931 to 1945.
Many within the Labour Party and Movement have backed Electoral reform over the years - it simply weill not do for LibDems to pretend otherwise. The fact is that the time has come for a lasting change. However, I sill dont understand exactly how reducing the number of MPs will make parliament more representative. It seems that they give with one hand and take with the other...

Fri, 2010-07-02 20:52 — swatantra nandanwar

Of course Dave is laughing up his sleeve
1 if the vote is YES, the Coalition goes its full term.
2 if the vote goes NO then it leaves the Lib Dems gutted and they'll pull out of the Coalition. And Dave calls for a GE, thinking its a walkover for the Tories, but he gets trounced by Labour.
3 The Queen refuses his call for a GE and says all 3 Parties must work together in a National Govt.

Thu, 2010-07-01 19:50 — Mike S (not verified)

Electoral reform or not, Clegg's problem is nobody will vote LibDem anyway after he sold them down the river.

Sat, 2010-07-03 10:44 — Nick (not verified)

I agree Clem that we should be far from complacent and take nothing for granted. It seems this coalition is getting away with blue murder. They've timed electoral reform before their savage cuts will have taken hold so the voters will have a distorted view come polling day.

Whichever way electoral reform works I would not be at all surprised if a fair number of what used to so called liberals like the trappings of so called power so much that they say 'we work so well together, that we're staying together'.

I dare say the remaining Liberals who don't like it could splinter off and become a minority party of their own or even go the whole hog and defect to Labour.

I do think that the voters have a right to be well informed as to what they are voting for in a referendum. The electorate should be told by an independent body exactly how the system works so people fully understand what they are voting for. I know that will never happen but it should.

Thu, 2010-07-01 21:52 — clem the gem (not verified)

Clegg will probably eventually end up in the Tory party, along with a number of his supporters.

If the referendum is that close, then Labour must sort itself out quickly on this issue, and show a positive front. The result is not cut and dried, as I doubt that much of the media will support a "Yes" vote, and MPs will split according to their preferences.

Fri, 2010-07-02 00:42 — Peter (not verified)

Since Labour politicians have spent every waking moment since May 6th talking about how the Lib Dems have been reneging on manifesto pledges they will now show that they are not hypocrites and support their own policy of AV for the Commons. Somehow I suspect this won't happen due to pure tribalistic pigheadedness.

Fri, 2010-07-02 08:32 — Dave C (not verified)

It will be interesting to see Lib Dem and Labour MPs on the same platforms up and down the country advocating AV. And the Tories opposing it. Lib Dems will increasingly think that the full Coalition was a bad idea.

Fri, 2010-07-02 10:24 — Tom (not verified)

This is a test for the Labour party.

If they are serious about a progressive alliance, then they must support AV. Mess about with the referendum, and the only winners will be the Tories.

Those of us who couldn't spot much difference between Blair and Major, are rather bored with all this Clegg is a Tory nonsense. If it were true, don't imagine anyone will be rushing to vote Labour.

And consider this, if Labour had had the courage to introduce AV before the General Election, Cameron wouldn't be Prime Minister. The fact was taht Labour was too Conservative to introduce change. Progressive - my elbow. There is not a left wing party in Euroep that doesn't support proportional represntation - except dear old Labour. (gosh Labour so radical it's frightening)

Fri, 2010-07-02 11:43 — slightlyiratecouncillor

Thanks for crediting us at LFF with breaking the news of the referendum date, James. There are updates on how this story emerged and became what it is now - the no.1 story topping the day's news agenda at the BBC etc. - over at LFF and on my blog: http://rupertsread.blogspot.com/2010/07/av-referendum-its-may-2011.html

Fri, 2010-07-02 12:03 — Charliechops1

We do not have to be helpful to the Coalition on the referendum. Why not put down an amendment giving electors a three-way choice including STV. How would the Coalition parties respond to that?

Fri, 2010-07-02 12:34 — alan (not verified)

I feel apathy will be the winner of this snoozefest of a vote it just seems to complicate things for most people for all its many faults first past the post works becuase you wake up after a general election on athe firday and have a new government.

Then you have this year with all the palarva that went on nah sorry i'd sooner keep the system we have now faults and all,its not perfect but its better than AV or any other PR system in my book.

Fri, 2010-07-02 15:26 — Nick9

Who knows what will happen on the day of the referendum. I think if the Liberals are reliant on a vote of support to swing electoral reform their way, they will be sadly dissapointed. I'm sure the vast majority of Liberal voters are so hacked off with their vote going to the Tories that they won't want to do anything to help Clegg out. It's a Cameron stitch up; Labour will lose out unless they get their act together, elect a true leader and stand up for party principals suited
to what the voter really wants. For if they don't; Cameron's 'Broken Britain' will be smashed beyond repair!.