Clegg tells Cameron he's 'talking complete bilge' over AV
Nick Clegg told David Cameron that he was "talking complete bilge" over the proposal to introduce the Alternative Vote system in a comment that indicates the tension over the issue at the top of the Coalition.
Mr Clegg's comments came as some of Britain's leading historians warned a move to AV could destroy the principle of 'one man or woman, one vote' Photo: GETTY
By Andy Bloxham 7:30AM GMT 11 Mar 2011
On the eve of the Liberal Democrat's spring conference in Sheffield, the Deputy Prime Minister disclosed that he had whispered the remark after Mr Cameron defended the current first-past-the-post system during Prime MInister's Questions on Wednesday.
He said: "We were very good humoured about it. We mutter to each other. We were just joking. We disagree on this one."
Mr Clegg's comments came as a phalanx of some of Britain's leading historians warned a move to AV, in which voters' second preference can count, could destroy the principle of “one man or woman, one vote”.
The historians included Professor Niall Ferguson, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Dr David Starkey, Professor Antony Beevor and Dr Andrew Roberts.
In a joint letter to a newspaper, they wrote: “Men and women have fought for the right to vote. That long fight for suffrage established the principle of one man or woman, one vote. The principle that each person’s vote is equal, regardless of wealth, gender, race or creed.”
They cite the example of Winston Churchill pushing against AV's introduction in 1931 because it could lead to elections which are decided by “the most worthless votes given for the most worthless candidates”.
The academics warned that the AV system would skew the value of votes because the second preference could increase the influence of "extremist" groups.
They added: “It will be a tragic consequence if those votes belong to the supporters of extremist and non-serious parties.”
The Lib Dems are expected to launch a campaign for AV at the conference today, led by the party's president, Tim Farron.
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