McLetchie: AV Referendum will be footnote to main event

Speaking at the Scottish Government debate on the AV Referendum and 2011 Scottish Parliament Election Clash, David McLetchie MSP, Scottish Conservative Chief Whip said:

"One of the more absurd arguments I have heard against the coincidence of dates is the idea that somehow the Scottish Parliament elections will be over shadowed by the AV referendum. Well I have to say that the idea that a whimper from Tavish Scott on the subject of the alternative vote is going to drown out a roar from Alex Salmond on who should lead the government of Scotland betrays an extraordinary lack of understanding of how the Scottish media works, how Alex Salmond works and is even disrespectful to Tavish Scott who I think would put the Scottish Parliament elections far ahead of any AV referendum in his scale of priorities for his party. The AV referendum in Scotland is but a footnote to the main event and everyone knows that to be the case.

"The latest report from the Electoral Commission publicised last week stated that it was "broadly satisfied that sufficient progress is presently being made to enable the local returning counting officers to run the polls well and that all voters will be able to participate in them."

"It also worth noting that the AV referendum count across the UK will not commence until 6th May allowing an overnight count to take place in respect of the elections to this Parliament and so Her Majesty's Government has willingly acknowledged the count for the Scottish Parliament election as taking precedence.

"So in all of this there is no lack of respect. The lack of respect that is being shown is a lack of respect shown by Labour and the SNP who want to insult the intelligence capability of voters in Scotland. We certainly do not do so."

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