Resounding No from West in referendum

wdnews@bepp.co.uk

Voters across the West delivered a resounding No verdict on proposals to scrap the traditional electoral system, it has emerged.

Close analysis of the votes – cast on Thursday but only counted late on Friday night – show most of the West were even more against AV than the rest of the UK.

Bristol, the last place to declare a result late in Friday night, apart from Northern Ireland, was the place in the West most in favour of ending the first-past-the-post system, with 44.68 per cent in favour, and 55.32 against.

The city was followed by Bath & North East Somerset, with 61.78 per cent against, Cheltenham (63.63), Stroud (65.19) and Mendip (65.32).

Traditional Liberal Democrat strongholds such as Taunton Deane (68.03 per cent against), South Somerset (69.55) and South Gloucestershire (70.51) were strongly against AV, despite the party’s support. And true blue areas including East Dorset – a thumping 76.89 per cent against changing the voting system – West Somerset (74.10) and Tewkesbury (72.56) were well above the national total of 68 per cent.

Devizes MP Claire Perry, who had campaigned against the proposals, told followers on her Twitter account it was a great result and was particularly proud of Wiltshire’s relatively high turnout, given it had no council elections.

She said: “Wiltshire AV turnout 45.6 per cent without council elections delivers resounding 71 per cent victory for the Nos. Well done all No to AV campaigners.”

The result has threatened to widen splits in the coalition Government.

But former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown, who last week accused Mr Cameron of a “breach of faith” in allowing the No campaign to target Mr Clegg in its posters, insisted the third party will stay the five-year course.

“We are working together with somebody not because we love them or agree with them on everything, but we agree with them on the main things that have to be done.”

FULL WEST RESULTS (%)

â–  Bristol: Yes 44.68, No 55.32

â–  Banes: Yes 38.22, No 61.78

â–  Cheltenham: Yes 36.37, No 63.63

â–  Stroud: Yes 34.81, No 65.19

â–  Mendip: Yes 34.68, No 65.32

â–  West Dorset: Yes 32.53, No 67.47

â–  Weymouth & Portland: Yes 32.02, No 67.98

â–  Taunton Deane: Yes 31.97, No 68.03

â–  North Somerset: Yes 31.40, No 68.60

â–  Sedgemoor: Yes 30.52, No 69.48

â–  South Somerset: Yes 30.45, No 69.55

â–  Swindon: Yes 30.1, No 69.9

â–  Forest of Dean: Yes 29.60, No 70.40

â–  South Gloucestershire: Yes 29.49, No 70.51

â–  Wilts: Yes 28.75, No 71.25

â–  Gloucester: Yes 28.72, No 71.28

â–  North Dorset: Yes 28.55, No 71.45

â–  Purbeck: Yes 28.10, No 71.90

â–  Cotswold:Yes 27.97, No 72.03

â–  Tewkesbury: Yes 27.44, No 72.56

â–  West Somerset: Yes 25.90, No 74.10

â–  East Dorset: Yes 23.11, No 76.89