Delay likely to referendum on vote reform

The referendum on changing the way MPs are elected could be delayed beyond May 5, Government sources conceded today.

Close scrutiny by the House of Lords is holding up the Bill which brings about the plebiscite on the alternative vote system.

It needs to clear Parliament by the middle of next month for the referendum to be held on the chosen date of May 5.

But Labour and cross-bench peers are upset because the Bill also contains measures to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600. A delay would be a serious blow for the Government as the offer of a referendum on AV was key to securing a Coalition deal.