The AV referendum campaign began in earnest today. Not without justification, the No
campaign argue that AV is a Lib Dem cause, an innovation designed to make ensure they are always the power-brokers. The alternative vote, so the No camp’s argument runs, obscures political
transparency and weakens the voice of the people. The argument originates from the preludes to the formation of the Jenkins Commission in 1997.
Not so bad for the Tories – leading article, The Spectator, 6 December 1997
Proportional representation is a political gamble with lasting office as the stake and the prize. Mr. Ashdown supports a change in the voting system because he thinks it would give the Liberal Democrats more seats in parliament. Mr Blair has not made up his mind, but may back it because he hopes it will condemn the Conservatives to perpetual opposition, preparing the ground for his ‘radical century’. Most Tories agree that a new voting system would mean political oblivion for the right wing in British politics.
All three parties, however, may be mistaken in their calculations.
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