A decision fraught with risk

Arthur

Right now the coalition has broad public support for what it's doing. If there's a No vote on the AV referendum, and the LibDems pull out of coalition, they'll suffer from being painted as self-centred wreckers at the next election (which Cameron would probably pull forward, as the coalition agreement would no longer apply). An election in Autumn 2011, Labour with a new leader and old policies, and the LibDems seen as sulky opportunists, leaves Cameron in a very strong position.

Auld Curmudgeon

If AV passes the Lib Dems can look forward to a century of coalition.

Mycroft

Frankly I don't believe any of this; if the LDs are to exert real influence in British politics (as opposed to sniping from the margins), they have to work together with another party, in this case the Conservative party; and if they cut and run at an early stage, after having been offered such a favourable deal, they'll discredit themselves for ever and a day. And how would Clegg look after his appearances with Cameron etc.? Some LDs are of course uncomfortble with the coalition, but those who have got stuck in are in fact stuck with it.

Alex

I really do not understand the anti-AV sentiment. It works well in Australia. I am not aware of any politician of any party in Australia who is anti-AV and would opt for FPTP.

Australia uses proportional representation for its Upper House elections at State and Federal levels. In the case of NSW the upper house members are elected in proportion to their votes with all parties who received more than 5% of the vote -albeit on a party list basis.

strapworld

Mr Forsyth, sometimes I wonder what you are drinking, or smoking!!

IF the AV system or whatever is defeated b y the ballot, that is democracy at work. Are you suggesting that the Liberal Democrats are undemocratic? Your piece is quite ridiculous.

I expect the NO side will, sadly, be dominated by the Bill Cash's of this world and, thus, will be ignored.

As a great supporter of first past the post I forecast a massive win for the AV system. Mainly because the coalition is proving to be adult politics- despite the many attempts on this blog and your writings within the Daily Mail to denigrate the coalition.

May I suggest, Mr Forsyth, that you look at the massive support for the coalition amongst Tory voters on Conservativehome and then consider that, perhaps, you are swimming against the tide!

TrevorsDen

As Mycroft says what possible benefit is there to the LDs in publicly breaking their word?

There is no evidence to support Mr Forsyth's speculation.

A yes vote would probably cement the coalition at the time of the next election.
A No vote would give us the status quo and the LDs best interest would be inmaking a success of government and undermining Labour.

A No vote followed by the LDs breaking their word would still leave the tories in power (and at 42 in the polls) and the LDs thoroughly discredited. With Labour exposed for their financial incompetence the Tories would win an early election. The likelyhood anyway in this case is that right wing LDs would split (power is a great incentive).

So all in all this speculation is founded on sand.

chris as usual

It's grow up time then, isn't it?

alexsandr

No news yet of boundary changes, reducing the number of MP's or tightening up on postal votes?

stephen maybery

So, we are going to get a referendum on proportional voting, lovely, only I do not recall the populace demonstrating on the streets for a new system of voting designed to give to the Whigs what the electorate is not disposed to do under the current arrangements.

Now for thew big question, if the divine David is mindful to give us a referendum on a subject the voters are not too concerned about, then why can he not grant us our say on issues we do care about? starting with membership of the meddlesome and corrupt EU and the continuing influx of foriegn nationals eager to tap into our welfare system, not to mention the malign Human Rights Act.

Mind you, even in the unlikely event of my wish being granted, there is little likely hood of my vote, or yours being heeded if it ran conterary to the received political orthodoxy as generated in the salons of Islington where the politics are pink and the shit does not stink.

P.S. If one is a Conservative who does one support in this day and age?

Long the UK

Shouldn't all the focus be on the economy until at least 2013?

Marcher Baron

@stephen maybery - I suspect that if one is a Conservative, one has little choice but to support UKIP these days.

JohnPage

what are these "No" arguments? (I ask as someone inclined to vote Yes.)

TrevorsDen

if you are a conservative you support the conservatives.

Do you disagree with reducing the welfare budget?
Do you disagree with reforming pensions, especially for the public services ??
Do you disagree with the budget?

Would you rather have labour in power.

I grow tired of fatuity numpty UKIP comments.