The AV rebels change tack

A little snippet from today’s Times (£) that is worth noting down:

“Tory rebels will this week lift their threat to the date of next year’s proposed referendum on voting changes – because they believe May 5 offers the best chance of stopping the alternative vote (AV) system. That date coincides with the council elections in Scotland, Wales and most of England, and was thought likely to boost the ‘yes’ vote for replacing first-past-the-post general elections. Nick Clegg insists that the Lib Dems will not budge on the date. But a tactical rethink will see many AV sceptics wave it through when the Bill comes to the floor of the Commons this week. A reassessment by the ‘no’ campaign believes that a stand-alone referendum on a different date would give Labour and the Liberal Democrats a single cause over which to unite. Turnout would be much higher among the AB social groups who are most likely to support change.”