First Conservative MP to back Yes vote in AV referendum?

It looks as if Warrington MP David Mowat could be the first Conservative MP so far to back the alternative vote in May’s Alternative Vote referendum.

The Liverpool Daily Post reports:

A Warrington MP is ready to defy David Cameron by voting to scrap the first-past-the- post voting system – potentially making him the only Conservative to do so.

David Mowat said he was considering backing a switch to the “alternative vote” (AV) for Westminster elections in the nationwide referendum to be staged on May 5.

The Warrington South MP described himself as an “agnostic” on the issue, but also stated his belief that first-past-the-post favours Labour, particularly in seats such as his own…

No other Conservative MP has come forward to hint at voting “Yes”, although two Cabinet ministers – Michael Gove and Andrew Lansley – are thought to be sympathetic.