Chris Huhne has urged the prime minister to step in to stop the No to AV campaign telling "downright lies" that could affect the future unity of the coalition, Andy Grice reports in today's Independent. He cited in particular the claims about AV requiring voting machines (which Jo Swinson tackles in an interview with TP here), or a change to AV costing £250m that would come out of public spending. Huhne said:
"There is no truth whatever in these outrageous allegations. It is absolutely astonishing that it could come from our coalition partners. I fear it could damage the coalition and diminish the respect his coalition partners have for him [Mr Cameron]. There is no doubt that if you behave in a thoroughly reprehensible and underhand manner you are going to lose the respect of people."
Given that the latest polling (YouGov/Sun) shows a whopping 16-point lead for a no result in the referendum, the appearance of this story in the overtly pro-AV Independent is hardly a surprise. However, the strength of Huhne's language, and his specific appeal to Cameron rather than addressing his remarks to the No campaign in general will be construed as a big step for a cabinet minister to take. Huhne even rejected the idea that Cameron and the Conservatives weren't really responsible for the actions of the No campaign, describing the operation as a "Conservative front organisation".
With the NHS 'listening exercise' still underway and local elections fast approaching, commentators and opponents are watching like hawks for potential splits in the coalition. Public criticism of your prime minister in a national newspaper isn't necessarily a strong argument against the existence of such a split, but I'm inclined to say that this is more about Lib Dem desperation to secure a Yes vote on 5 May than any personal beef between Cameron and Huhne.
Read Ben Duckworth's full interview with Chris Huhne for Total Politics here
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