Fear of voter confusion over election clash

THE Prime Minister has been warned that holding the 2015 Westminster and Holyrood elections on the same date will cause widespread confusion.

David Cameron was tackled by Scottish politicians yesterday over his coalition government's plan for a five-year fixed-term parliamentary term at Westminster.

The new arrangement, which was a concession to the Lib Dems, has been criticised by Labour MPs as well as some of Mr Cameron's back-benchers.

In Scotland, it has caused concerns because the end of the five-year term would coincide with the 2015 Scottish election.

Politicians across the parties believe holding two elections to two different parliaments will create difficulties in Scotland, where voters already have to grapple with first-past-the-post constituency votes and list votes on their Holyrood ballot papers.

Margo MacDonald, the independent Lothians MSP, has highlighted the potential problem with Alex Fergusson, the Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer.

The issue was brought up when Mr Cameron met Holyrood opposition leaders Iain Gray, Tavish Scott and Annabel Goldie yesterday.

"An important reason for opposing this is the confusion that would be caused," Ms MacDonald said last night.

"There would be confusion in the minds of voters as regards the powers, responsibilities and accountability of each parliament. I also think that the Scottish Parliament election would be diminished by this."

First Minister Alex Salmond said he agreed with Ms MacDonald but was confident that a solution could be found before 2015.

"I think Margo is right," Mr Salmond said. "It is for the parliament to make a considered judgment. If the parliament makes a view clear, I am sure a solution can be found."

He went on: "I do not believe that this was a deliberate slight. I don't believe that the negotiating teams for the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats conspired to find a date that was the same date as the Scottish Parliamentary election. I think they just forgot about it.

"If you remember, it was agreed between all parties in the Scottish Parliament that having the Scottish Parliament and the local elections on the same day was one of the main causes for confusion at the last Scottish election."