So now, thanks to Left Foot Forward and reports this
morning, we know: the referendum on an alternative vote system will take place on 5 May 2011, the same day as same day as the English local, Scottish Parliamentary and Welsh Assembly
elections. There are plenty of ins and outs, whys and wherefores – most of which are neatly summarised by David Herdson over at Political Betting. But here are three questions that pop into my head,
and are worth idly pondering on this sluggish Friday morning:
1) Does this strengthen the divide or weaken it? Holding the AV referendum on the same day as local and regional elections was always on the cards: it’s the best way to ensure a relatively high turnout, and it smoothes the logistics of it all. But you wonder how it will play within the heat of an election battle, with Lib Dems and Tories gunning for each other anyway.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in