Campaigners for voting reform argue that the referendum on 5 May will take place during a more optimistic period
The yes campaign in the referendum on introducing the alternative vote for Westminster elections is planning to capitalise on the royal wedding, six days earlier, by arguing that it is "a time to be optimistic and say yes".
Campaigners for change have been struggling with the impact of Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton on 29 April, before the referendum on 5 May. That week also includes a bank holiday. But now they think they have a solution: proclaim it the season for saying yes.
"We will put all the arguments, but around the wedding it will be a coming-into-summer, more optimistic, more of a yes mood," a campaign source said. "The no camp will throw everything at us – that is the nature of a no campaign, it will be 'if in doubt vote no'."
Both campaigns recognise media obsession with the wedding will leave them struggling to capture voters' attention. Some estimates suggest turnout will be as low as 35%.
A spokesman for the yes campaign last night said it would not seek to exploit the royal wedding in any way.
A spokesman for the no campaign said: "We're amazed at the yes to AV campaign's clumsy attempt to politicise the royal wedding.
"Most people will be looking forward to a couple of days of not being assaulted by politics. The yes campaign have to realise the world does not revolve around them and their campaign."
The referendum will ask voters whether they want to change from a first-past-the-post system to one where candidates are marked in order of preference. Yes campaigners say it is a modest but important upgrade of our electoral system that will make MPs more accountable and hard- working and end the damaging culture of safe seats.
Private polling undertaken for the yes campaign by ICM in November showed 59%-41% support for AV among those expressing an intention to vote. The poll covered nearly 8,500 people, one of the largest in Britain, and showed support strong across all age groups except those aged over 65. Support was strongest among AB higher income voters.
A YouGov tracker poll this week saw the two camps neck and neck: 39% said they would vote to keep FPTP, and 38% would vote to switch to AV.
Last September, YouGov was showing a consistent lead for the no campaign as large as nine points. The decline in the no vote may reflect the recent slide in the Conservatives' poll rating within the coalition.
It is expected that Nick Clegg and David Cameron will set out the respective cases for and against AV very soon after the bill introducing the referendum gains royal assent, probably next Wednesday. Cameron and the Conservatives want to keep FPTP, but Clegg and the Liberal Democrats will back AV. The two men are trying to ensure that the contest does not fracture the coalition.
Faced by four substantial amendments to the bill imposed by peers, Clegg has cancelled a planned visit to South America next week to ensure the bill reaches the statute book by the Wednesday deadline.