Clegg: First Past the Post 'benefits' fascists
Saturday, 9 April 2011 12:01 AM
First Past the Post benefits extremist parties like the BNP, Nick Clegg will say today.
In a speech in London, Mr Clegg will dismiss claims by the 'no' campaign that the alternative vote would lead to more votes for the BNP.
"Today the 'no' campaign is making the bizarre claim that AV will lead to BNP victory," the deputy prime minister will say.
"Even Nick Griffin knows this is nonsense. That's why he's campaigning for a 'no' vote.
"Nick Griffin knows that AV will make it harder for extremist parties to win because they cannot get the support of a majority of their constituents.
"That's why the 'no' campaign is backed by fascists and extremists.
"If you want to defeat the BNP, vote 'yes'."
Mr Clegg's comments come in an increasingly bitter tussle between the two sides of the referendum debate.
The 'no' campaign has claimed AV will cost £250 million, increase the number of spoiled ballots and benefit extreme parties.
Liberal Democrat energy secretary Chris Huhne and Tory chairman Baroness Warsi had a public spat recently after Baroness Warsi said AV would benefit fascists, while Mr Huhne accused her of "Goebbels-like" propaganda.
Mr Clegg will dismiss many of the 'no' campaign's criticisms of AV as those of "conservative doomsayers".
"The world will not stop turning on its axis when voters write '1-2-3' rather than an X on their ballot papers," he will say.
"Time and time again, the conservative doomsayers were proved wrong. The same will be true of AV."
The Lib Dem leader will also attempt to quash the 'no' campaign's argument that First Past the Post is an inherently British system.
"AV is a very British reform; a perfect example of the British genius for constitutional evolution, rather than revolution," Mr Clegg will say.
"Think about the many steps we took towards full suffrage, including in 1832, 1867, 1884, 1918 and 1928. The British way has always been reform by installments.
"AV is nothing more - and nothing less - than an update for democracy."
Mr Clegg will also make reference to the MPs' expenses scandal and argue that First Past the Post no longer makes sense for modern, diverse Britain.
"To put it at its simplest: If you want more duckhouses: vote no. If you want more democracy: vote yes," the deputy prime minister will say.
"In 2011 it no longer makes sense to stick with First Past The Post. The era of two party politics is over."
The Lib Dem leader has a huge stake in the outcome of the referendum, as it was a key demand for his party during the coalition negotiations.
He has so far been forced to keep a relatively low profile over fears his unpopularity will have a negative impact on the campaign.
He was forced to sit out the launch of the 'yes' campaign after Ed Miliband refused to share the stage with him.
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