NORTH Liberal Democrats last night acknowledged they face defeat in the referendum on whether to change the voting system.
Senior party peer John Shipley, former leader of Newcastle City Council, said it looked “very difficult” for the yes camp in the referendum on switching to the alternative vote (AV) to elect MPs.
That view was backed by Lib Dem leader of Northumberland County Council Jeff Reid, although both stressed a victory for yes campaigners was still possible.
Defeat for the Lib Dems could heap pressure on party leader Nick Clegg who has made the AV referendum a central plank of his policy as Deputy Prime Minister.
Counting of votes cast in the referendum is set to begin this afternoon with opinion polls giving the No camp a lead of up to 36 points.
Speaking to The Journal, Lord Shipley said: “Things are looking very difficult for the Yes campaign. We did last weekend pick up an increase in support for the Yes campaign and we thought the trend would continue. But that appears from opinion polls to not have come to be the case and it does look as if the no campaign is in a strong position.
“However, we are working very hard on the doorstep, knocking up our support. We think there is still an outside chance that we could pull it off and we are working very hard to achieve that.”
He also expressed disappointment at some of the personal attacks on Mr Clegg made by some campaigners.
Northumberland council leader Jeff Reid agreed with Lord Shipley’s comments, adding: “We have to keep going to the last minute.”
He also acknowledged there would be a “post-mortem” following the referendum and local elections, with opinion polls suggesting the Lib Dems could be the biggest losers. But he added Mr Clegg’s leadership had secured a referendum on changing the voting system in the first place.
North East Labour peer Jeremy Beecham, a cautious backer of AV, questioned the effectiveness of the campaign over the referendum and warned electoral reform looked “pretty much dead for the time being”.
He added: “Clegg’s position was always going to be a problem on it and both sides made claims that weren’t particularly valid. But I think people aren’t really interested and they are many more things worrying them.”
Dave Anderson, Labour MP for Blaydon, said: “The feedback we are getting is that it will be a no. I would be amazed if it isn’t a no.”
Results expected today
COUNTING will today finish in North East elections.
Votes were counted late last night in South Tyneside and Sunderland.
Results will be announced this afternoon in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Gateshead.
A change of just six seats could see Newcastle Council switch back from Liberal Democrat control to Labour.
In North Tyneside the Labour group could become the largest group on the council, although elected mayor Linda Arkley will remain in charge of budget and policy.
Council vote counters will begin counting AV referendum votes this afternoon. A result in this is expected this evening, with Sunderland announcing the regional vote.
There are no council elections in Northumberland and Durham.
