The humiliation of the Yes campaign...

Really good analysis of the Yes2AV campaign from Liberal Vision. Well worth reading..

The power of Primaries...

Among the more questionable arguments used by the Yes2AV campaign was that the system would make MP's work harder - having to appeal to an electorate beyond their core supporters. They would also have us believe that AV does away with MP's whose majorities are of such a size that they have a job for life. AV of course, does neither of these things. But although the arguments may be false, the intention to achieve both these outcomes would enhance our democratic system beyond recognition.

With The AV voting system now passed into history and with it any opportunity for major electoral reform anytime soon, the Coalition should be looking very carefully at open Primaries being held in each constituency at the mid-term point. Primaries are an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. These would have the effect of legitimising MP's with their local electorates, whilst ensuring that new candidates are able to put themselves forward through the open nature of such events. I am told that if primaries are tagged onto the back of other local votes - local authority, mayoral or even parish councils - the cost to each constituency of a postal vote is around £24,000 - around £15 million pounds across 650 constituencies nationally. A small cost to ensure MP's are popular, accountable and directly mandated by their electorate.

Miliband fails to deliver...

There was a sense that the royal wedding was a Tory Party broadcast in fancy dress and the first act in what may yet be a new Conservative century writes Mary Riddell finally beginning to realise how much of a mistake was the election of nice Mr Miliband.

Labour's #Yes2AV leader campaigned with LibDems's Huhne & Cable for a 'progressive majority' in favour of AV - with the latter two making all the running. Funny that, because implicit in the referendum is the need for each party leader to galvanise and deliver their party on the right side of the argument.

Both Clegg and Cameron have done exactly that, each enthusiastically arguing their case and commanding the overwhelming support of their party both for and against respectively. So the need for Miliband to deliver his 40% of the electorate and decide the outcome was paramount.

If the #No2AV campaign wins on Thursday, it certainly won't be Clegg's fault.

AV is too important for Labour...

Peter Mandelson appeals to Labour supporters in today's Independent to vote Yes in next week's AV referendum. And his reason to do so? To damage the Tories and undermine Mr Cameron's position. This, apparently, is the best reason we have to vote in a once in a generation referendum on our voting system.

Is it any wonder all the major issues of the day are being decided without the involvement of Labour... 

Yes to AV is talking to itself...

This analysis from David Herdson at Political Betting.com really rings true...

Equal size constituencies

John Humphreys interviews Lords Falconer & McNally over the AV voting bill on Today. Once again Labour is on the wrong side of the argument. Making constituencies of equal size is not gerrymandering the electoral system. It's making it fairer. The hint is in the word 'equal' - meaning the same as, same rank, ability, merit or means. We could go on. Lets hope Labour get it sometime soon.

597 is a magic number

MP's have just voted in favour of the AV referendum & equalization of constituency boundaries. Interestingly, 597 managed to pass through the lobbies - just short of the number of MP's that will remain after the next election and well short of a full house.

Labour, principle & AV

Excellent piece by Martin Kettle called Labour is playing fast and loose on AV reform in today's Guardian. He writes:

"When Labour looks at this bill it sees Clegg – whom it now hates – not
electoral reform, which it should and until a few weeks ago did support. Nearly
two centuries after the Chartists, one is bound to ask whether the Labour party
is any longer a party of reform at all."

It is quite extraordinary how unprincipled the Labour party now appears to the electorate.