Frenzied speculation about AV referendum vote
By Ian Dunt
There was frenzied speculation about the exact timing of the referendum on the alterative vote today.
Media reports suggested the referendum would take place next May – probably on May 5th to coincide with the elections for the Scottish parliament, Welsh assembly and around 280 English councils.
The prime minister’s spokesman refused to confirm any dates this morning, but he did admit that legislation on the referendum, which would also include policies on the redrawing of constituency boundaries, was expected before the end of the year.
“We’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves on the process here,” he said.
There are good reasons why the Lib Dems might want the referendum to take place earlier rather than later. Lib Dems in the coalition government will be eager to have the vote before spending cuts kick in and the government quickly loses popularity.
There were reports that Nick Clegg wanted the referendum to take place in October of this year, but yesterday’s Queen’s Speech revealed that there is little chance of the parliamentary reform bill reaching the statute book in time.
