A WARRINGTON MP is ready to defy David Cameron by voting to scrap the first-past-the- post voting system – potentially making him the only Conservative to do so.
David Mowat said he was considering backing a switch to the “alternative vote” (AV) for Westminster elections in the nationwide referendum to be staged on May 5.
The Warrington South MP described himself as an "agnostic" on the issue, but also stated his belief that first-past-the-post favours Labour, particularly in seats such as his own.
Such views are almost sacrilege in Conservative circles. Other Tory MPs hate AV with a passion – and are furious with the Prime Minister for granting the referendum in the first place.
This week, Baroness Warsi, the Conservative Party chairman, claimed a “Yes” vote would boost the prospects of the BNP, in comments that provoked ridicule.
But Mr Mowat said: "I think the existing system tends to benefit the Labour Party. If we did have AV, and we put Lib- Dems second and they put us second, it would be very likely to give us a better result than we might achieve under first-past-the post.”
Mr Mowat has a majority of just 1,553 over Labour in Warrington South, a seat snatched by the Conservatives in last year's General Election.
No other Conservative MP has come forward to hint at voting “Yes”, although two Cabinet ministers – Michael Gove and Andrew Lansley – are thought to be sympathetic. AV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the second preferences of the lowest-placed candidate are redistributed until someone clears the 50% bar.
Supporters argue current elections are decided by a small number of voters, in a handful of marginal seats – but opponents warn of more coalitions, with the Government decided by horse-trading and "political fixes".
