Morning Report – April 18th

As the AV “debate” rumbles towards its conclusion, major party figures are increasingly going out on a limb to push for their side. This morning will see two rather unusual political tag-teams. On the No side there’s David Cameron and New Labour bruiser John Reid. On the Yes side there’s Ed Miliband and nuclear weapon weilding maverick Vince Cable. This referendum really has created some unusual battle lines and some strange bedfellows.

Miliband has written an article in today’s Indie in which he argues that the AV referendum isn’t a referendum on Nick Clegg. He’s right, but that won’t stop people taking the opportunity to vote that way, and millions will. Andrew Grice has a revealing article in the same paper than explains just why (and how) this referendum is tricky for Ed Miliband.

Is George Osborne a hypocrite? The answer would seem to be yes when it comes to PFI. The government have railed against Gordon Brown’s use of private money to pay for public projects, arguing that it hides the level of government liabilities. However, it now seems that there will be more PFI completions in 2011 than either 2008 or 2009 when Brown was PM. More hollow rhetoric from the chancellor?

Want to meet Nick Clegg? Probably not. But if you’re a lobbyist then the opportunity might be worthwhile. That’s why there’s controversy over the Lib Dem’s new “leaders’ club”, where £25,000 will get you a meeting with cabinet ministers – including the Deputy PM. We’re not suggesting that this is cash for access – but it does look awfully like cash for access, doesn’t it?