MORE ON THE POLITICS OF THE ALTERNATIVE VOTE REFERENDUM

There have been some interesting articles about the way in which the Alternative Vote referendum is going with Cameron being criticised by Conservative columnists like Bruce Anderson for his muddled message and his failure to give a clear lead to the no campaign and with The Times criticising Ed Milliband for being lacklustre in his leadership of the yes campaign.  Both criticisms are justified.  What the commentators who make these criticisms miss is the reason why Cameron and Milliband are being so unconvincing.  I explained the reason in an earlier post.  This is that in each case Cameron's and Milliband's respective interests are best served by the opposite result to the one they have to appear to want so that Cameron's chances of remaining Prime Minister are greater if there is a yes vote and Milliband's chances of becoming Prime Minister are greater if there is a no vote.