SHARP DISAGREEMENTS were aired at the British Cabinet table yesterday as relations between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats continued to sour over Thursday’s referendum on a proposal to change election rules for the House of Commons.
Liberal Democrat energy secretary Chris Huhne openly challenged Prime Minister David Cameron and chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne to justify their claims that electronic voting machines would be needed if the alternative vote system is accepted.
Mr Huhne recently accused the No2AV campaign of telling lies about the alternative vote, which would allow voters to rank their choices in order of preference rather than picking a single one as they do now.
The results of the referendum should be known by late Friday, though the latest polling figures indicate the reform proposal will be rejected by a significant majority.
Clearly infuriated by events, Mr Huhne, according to sources last night in the House of Commons, produced No campaign literature at the Downing Street meeting, demanding explanations from Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne.
However, Mr Cameron rejected Mr Huhne’s demand, saying that the Cabinet was not “an appropriate place” for a discussion, though Mr Osborne is reported to have been more acerbic, saying: “This is the Cabinet, not some sub-Paxman interview.” Given that a rejection of AV will deal a serious blow to Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, Mr Huhne’s high-profile actions are being interpreted as a hint to a post-referendum leadership challenge.
Meanwhile, the referendum is causing its own difficulties within Labour, since most of the party’s MPs oppose getting rid of first-past-the-post, though party leader Ed Miliband favours the change.
