The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Why AV might not happen even if the vote is Yes

The Alternative Vote will only be used if the new boundaries are implemented.

By George Eaton Published 06 April 2011 13:23

Even if the Yes camp wins the electoral reform referendum, there's no guarantee that the Alternative Vote will be used at the next election. As the Electoral Commission's guide to the referendum points out, it depends on the successful completion of the boundary review.

The booklet notes:

The "alternative vote" system will be used after a review of the boundaries of the area that each MP represents (known as their constituency) is completed. This is due to happen between 2011 and 2013. The review will happen regardless of the outcome of this referendum.

At the end of the review, the UK parliament will vote on implementing the new boundaries. If the new boundaries are implemented, the "alternative vote" system will be used for all future elections to the House of Commons.

In other words, if, for whatever reason, the boundary review is not approved by parliament in time for the next election, the Alternative Vote will not be used.

The Electoral Commission press office confirmed that if there's an election between now and 2013, it will be fought under first-past-the-post.

Among other things, this provides the Lib Dems with a clear incentive to remain in the coalition until 2015.

Special Offer: Get 12 issues of New Statesman magazine for just £12

Tags: Electoral Reform

More from George Eaton

View the discussion thread.

8 comments

Wed, 2011-04-06 14:59 — Barnaby Dawson (not verified)

In case we don't get AV, even if we vote for it, you can try the Alternative Vote out on facebook:

http://apps.facebook.com/AlternativeVote/

Take care,
Barnaby (app creator)

Wed, 2011-04-06 15:21 — ravcasleygera

Is there any turnout rule? We're surely looking at less than 30%. Isn't there a quorum or something?

Wed, 2011-04-06 16:50 — Anon y Mouse (not verified)

There is no minimum turnout caveat in the PVSC Bill. The proposed 40% turnout caveat was rejected in the Lords.

Wed, 2011-04-06 18:01 — Adam (not verified)

"The Electoral Commission press office confirmed that if there's an election between now and 2013, it will be fought under first-past-the-post. Among other things, this provides the Lib Dems with a clear incentive to remain in the coalition until 2015."

And a clear incentive for backbench Tories to break it up...

Thu, 2011-04-07 17:09 — Pete (not verified)

Your conclusion is fallacious. If P, then Q does not mean that if not P, then not Q. Assuming a Yes vote, even if the boundary review is not submitted in time, AV can still be used; it is merely *not mandatory* for the Electoral Commission to implement it. And as David Boothroyd points out, the review need not be implemented or even final, just approved by Parliament and submitted to the Privy Council.

Wed, 2011-04-06 20:26 — mzztdx1358

As Adam says above, a Yes vote will give the Tories an incentive to bring down the coalition and call an election under FPTP. Peter Bone MP told Channel 4 News as such, so if you want to bring the coalition down vote Yes. Tory MP's are livid that Cameron misled them into agreeing to the Referendum and if he loses it will be the second election he has lost inside a year and AV will cost the Tories seats at the next election. http://blogs.channel4.com/gary-gibbon-on-politics/av-referendum-could-it...

Thu, 2011-04-07 00:13 — Ged Ridgway (not verified)

My reading of that text is not just that "if the boundary review is not approved by parliament in time for the next election, the Alternative Vote will not be used [for that election]", but that if the boundary review is not approved (at all) there will be no guarantee that a yes vote in the referendum will ever give us AV. This seems outrageous -- it seems the politicians would have a veto over the will of the public!

Thu, 2011-04-07 01:14 — David Boothroyd

The relevant legislation is the Parliamentary Voting Systems and Constituencies Act 2011 section 8. It requires the Minister to bring into effect the Alternative Vote provisions if 'Yes' wins the referendum and a draft Order in Council providing for new boundaries has been submitted to the Queen for approval; the Alternative Vote then begins at the next general election. See http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/1/section/8/enacted.