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Clegg under fire over referendum Clegg under fire over referendum
(40 minutes later)
Mr Clegg criticised "synthetic fury" over plans to reduce MP numbers
Deputy PM Nick Clegg has come under fire for planning a voting system referendum on the day of elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Deputy PM Nick Clegg has come under fire for planning a voting system referendum on the day of elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
He told the Commons the referendum on switching from first-past-the-post system was planned for 5 May 2011. He wants the vote on switching from first-past-the-post on 5 May 2011.
Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd said it smacked of "contempt", Tory MP Bernard Jenkin said it would "artificially" inflate turnout. A succession of MPs criticised the planned date, with Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd saying it smacked of "contempt".
Mr Clegg said it would cost millions to hold a referendum on another day. Mr Clegg also announced that 66% - rather than the previously planned 55% - of MPs would be needed to force a dissolution of Parliament.
He said "additional cost, complexity and delay" would arise if a referendum were planned for another day. The power to force a dissolution is seen as an important part of plans to introduce five-year fixed-term parliaments
'Major U-turn' The coalition's initial plans for the figure to be 55% - lower than that used in the Scottish Parliament - had been heavily criticised. Mr Clegg said the coalition government had "listened carefully" to concerns.
In his statement he also outlined plans for five-year fixed term Parliaments - and said 66% of MPs would be needed to force an earlier election. But shadow justice secretary Jack Straw said it was "the first major U-turn of this government and in less than two months".
That is higher than the 55% of MPs the coalition had said would be needed for Parliament to be dissolved and follows a row over the figure, which was opposed by Labour and some Tory MPs. The deputy prime minister came under repeated criticism from Labour, nationalist and some Conservative MPs for his decision to hold a referendum on the same day as elections to the devolved parliaments and some English local elections.
He also told MPs that if a government was not formed within 14 days of a prime minister losing a confidence vote an election would be held. He argued it would cost millions to hold a referendum on another day and said "additional cost, complexity and delay" would arise if a referendum were planned for another day.
Labour's Jack Straw said raising the level to 66% was a "major U-turn". But some nationalist MPs were angry as were some Conservatives, who oppose changing the voting system, who said they feared it would "skew" the result because of "differential turnout" in different parts of the country.
Mr Clegg's statement covered wider reforms, including reducing the number of MPs from 650 to 600 - which he said would save £12m a year. Reviewing constituency boundaries would "create fewer and more equally sized constituencies". For Labour, Mr Straw said none of the four previous referendums in the UK had been held on the same day as an election.
He added: "Would it not be altogether more sensible to consult widely on the best possible date and then add the date to the Bill in due course?"
AV referendumAV referendum
But shadow justice secretary Jack Straw warned against the government trying to combine electoral reform with "wholly partisan" plans to reduce the number of MPs in a way that discriminated against Labour. In a wide ranging statement on plans for electoral reform, Mr Clegg confirmed the government was bringing forward plans for fixed term parliaments and to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600 - which he said would save £12m a year. Reviewing constituency boundaries would "create fewer and more equally sized constituencies".
But Mr Straw warned against the government trying to combine electoral reform with "wholly partisan" plans to reduce the number of MPs in a way that discriminated against Labour.
An agreement to hold a referendum on changing the voting system to the "alternative vote" (AV) was a key part of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition deal.An agreement to hold a referendum on changing the voting system to the "alternative vote" (AV) was a key part of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition deal.
But it must go through Parliament, where many Tory and Labour MPs oppose such a reform.But it must go through Parliament, where many Tory and Labour MPs oppose such a reform.
Most Conservative MPs are against a change to AV - but they will be expected to vote for the referendum bill as it was a key component of the coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats, who do want it.Most Conservative MPs are against a change to AV - but they will be expected to vote for the referendum bill as it was a key component of the coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats, who do want it.
They will then be free to campaign against AV in the referendum.They will then be free to campaign against AV in the referendum.
Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said on Friday he would campaign against AV in the referendum.Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said on Friday he would campaign against AV in the referendum.
If held on 5 May 2011, it would mean the referendum is held on the same day as the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and English local elections.
The Conservatives argue the existing first-past-the-post system guarantees strong, stable government, while Lib Dems argue it is unfair on smaller parties and allows candidates to be elected on the support of only a minority of constituents.
Under the proposed AV system, voters rank candidates in order of preference.Under the proposed AV system, voters rank candidates in order of preference.
Anyone getting more than 50% in the first round is elected, otherwise the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and voters' second choices allocated to those remaining. This process continues until a winner emerges.Anyone getting more than 50% in the first round is elected, otherwise the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and voters' second choices allocated to those remaining. This process continues until a winner emerges.
The Lib Dems would prefer a different voting system - the Single Transferable Vote - which they believe is a more proportional system than AV.The Lib Dems would prefer a different voting system - the Single Transferable Vote - which they believe is a more proportional system than AV.
But speaking before the general election, Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg told the Independent newspaper: "AV is a baby step in the right direction - only because nothing can be worse than the status quo."