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  1. Politics
26 May 2010

Cracks open up in coalition

Lib Dems urge date for AV referendum.

By James Macintyre

One of the most notable elements of yesterday’s mildly awkward presentation of the coalition’s agenda was the failure by the Tory-led government to name a date for the promised referendum on the Alternative Vote system.

So, it is not surprising that the Lib Dems are now pushing for a date — 5 May 2011. Some say this comes amid fears among Lib Dems that a delay could enhance the possibility of a “No” vote.

But with the Tories anyway set to campaign for “No”, I suspect this is more about the Lib Dems trying to assert their authority and show they have not “sold out” in these early, rather surreal days of the coalition.

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