Electoral reform is the dark cloud on the coalition’s horizon

James Forsyth

12 June 2010

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James Forsyth reviews the week in politics

One potential problem for Cameron is that many of the points that anyone running the No campaign would probably make will overlap with the ones he was making six weeks ago in party political broadcasts warning about the dangers of a hung parliament: that coalitions are fundamentally undemocratic, and involve behind-closed-doors deals. There is much to commend this argument, but it is rather embarrassing to Mr Cameron now that he is leading a coalition. There is a danger that the No campaign could make voters see the coalition as a stitch-up by politicians rather than as an example of them working together in the national interest.

The Liberal Democrats want this referendum as soon as possible, ideally in May next year. The Tories would rather make the Liberal Democrats wait for their reward for good behaviour.

But when the time comes, Cameron will have to decide which he regards as the bigger prize: the possible realignment of British politics, or maintaining an electoral system that offers his party the best chance of gaining a majority. He will have to choose between breaking the heart of his party or his coalition.