I mistakenly believed that the Lib Dems wanted proportional representation – now there are many things I didn’t believe about the Lib Dems and wasn’t surprised when the formed a coalition with the Tories. However there was one thing I was sure they wanted and that was Proportional Representation. How wrong I am – all the indications are is that Clegg is pushing for the alternative vote system – the electoral reform society explains how AV works.

The same constituency boundaries are used and voters elect one person to represent them in parliament, just as we do now. However, rather than marking an ‘X’ against their preferred candidate, each voter would rank their candidates in an order of preference, putting ’1′ next to their favourite, a ’2′ by their second choice and so on. If a candidate receives a majority of first place votes, he or she would be elected just as under the present system. However if no single candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the second choices for the candidate at the bottom are redistributed. The process is repeated until one candidate gets an absolute majority. The alternative vote is not actually a proportional system, but a majoritarian system. It looks most similar to the current electoral system. The Electoral Reform Society.

Which is nothing like PR – in fact it’s first past the post with a twist – you have to be the first to get 50%. This is nothing but a sop by the Lib Dems to their supporters – I don’t think it will take them long to realise they are being conned. AV is something that’ll keep the Tories and come to that Labour happy – or at least it would keep Labour happy if it wasn’t for this.

The Conservatives said today that the bill on AV would also contain measures to reduce the number of constituencies by as much as 10% and to equalise their size – a complex, controversial and time-consuming measure that will benefit the Tories. Patrick Wintour, The Guardian.

For what reason are the Lib Dems backing a bill that helps the Tories to victory at the next election? Nick Clegg you are a fool.