Malcolm Rifkind joins Tory MPs in challenge to election-day referendum plan

Published on Tuesday 27 July 2010 18:44

SIR Malcolm Rifkind has added his name to more than 40 Tory MPs opposing plans to hold a referendum on voting reform on the same day as next year's crunch Holyrood elections.

The former Scottish secretary's name was among Tory MPs who yesterday signed a Commons motion calling for the date of the referendum to be changed, warning that issues "of fundamental national importance" should be dealt with separately.

With the coalition's pressure points being exposed by the affair, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg hit back, effectively accusing opponents of insulting to the intelligence of voters in Scotland and Wales, where regional elections are also taking place.

He said it was "disrespectful" to claim that they would be unable to consider two different votes on the same day.

Nonetheless, the rebellion could be damaging for ministers. If the 44 MPs were joined by all the opposition parties in voting against the referendum bill later this year, it would be enough to inflict defeat on the coalition.

Sir Malcolm, a former Scottish and foreign secretary, joined two other former Conservative ministers — John Redwood and David Davis — in publicly opposing the plans yesterday.

Mr Davis is reported to have mocked the Con-Lib pact that agreed to the referendum as a "Brokeback coalition" in recent days. The backlash over the date of next year's referendum marks the first major challenge to the coalition deal.

In their motion, tabled by backbencher Bernard Jenkin, the Tory MPs note that the Electoral Commission — the body that oversees elections — has previously advised that referendums on "fundamental issues of national importance" should not be held on the same day as other elections.

They say it could "artificially inflate" the turnout in the parts of the country where elections are being held and "may advantage one campaign at the expense of the others".

Labour MPs also oppose the plans to hold the referendum on the same day. Last week, The Scotsman revealed that Scots Labour MP Tommy Docherty is to table an amendment forcing a change of date. It leaves ministers with the choice of either backing down or attempting to persuade their own MPs to ditch their opposition.

Mr Clegg yesterday hit back, insisting that his proposals were sound. He said: "I don't understand why it is considered to be a distraction from the Holyrood vote. It is disrespectful to suggest they are incapable of answering two questions at once"

The rebels were also accused of using the spat over the date of the referendum as a Trojan horse to undermine plans for voting reform.Ashley D from the Electoral Reform Society said: "This EDM is sabotage dressed up with a few principles. We doubt anyone in Scotland will see the work of these 40 English Conservative MPs as a heartfelt defence of devolution.

"Labour and Tory MPs are drawing ranks. Those talking ‘Brokeback coalitions' might pause to contemplate the strange bedfellows they're making to block the passage of this referendum."