UK referendum on voting reform to divide coalition

The Conservatives, the largest party, want to maintain the present system where members of parliament win seats in straight regional or district electoral races, and will campaign against the proposed change.

They agreed to hold the referendum to lure their junior partner, the Lib Dems, into a coalition with them after last May's parliamentary election, although it falls short of Lib Dem's ultimate goal of a full proportional system that would be more favorable to smaller parties.

Britons will be asked if they want to move to an Alternative Vote (AV) framework where voters choose candidates in order of preference in the referendum to be held on May 5.

Opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband threw his weight behind the "Yes" campaign on Thursday, saying it would be a first step to restoring faith in a parliament damaged by an expenses scandal that broke in 2009.

"AV is a step worth taking. It's why I am urging a yes vote in the referendum," Miliband wrote in the Guardian newspaper.

The government cleared the final hurdle in the way of the proposed May date when it won a 68-vote majority late on Wednesday against a proposal by the upper chamber, the House of Lords, to require a 40 percent turnout threshold.

If voters reject the switch to AV, pressure is likely to increase on Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who has been criticized by party activists for ceding too much ground to the Conservatives.

Support for the Lib Dems has slumped since the election, with many former supporters angry with the party after it dropped its opposition to higher fees for university students.

Some commentators believe Clegg's unpopularity could damage the "Yes" campaign; Kazinform cites Arab News.

See www.arabnews.com for full version