Nick Clegg just told the Today programme this morning that the AV referendum was “nothing to do with me”. Strange, Guido was at the Liberal Democrat Party conference where he launched the campaign for AV.

That sounded pretty cowardly and reminded Guido of one Gordon Brown, whenever trouble was around Gordon could not be found. Clegg argued for AV on the radio this morning and he is going to give one speech today, after that he is disappearing from the Yes to AV campaign. Last night his local Sheffield radio station, Hallam FM, were chairing a debate. Fellow Sheffield MP David Blunkett was tp argue the case for “No to AV” against Clegg, yet despite being invited in January, Clegg was nowhere to be seen. He is keeping out of the Yes campaign because of fears it will become a “No to Nick” referendum.

Despite the “Yes to AV” side being largely staffed by LibDem activists, funded by LibDem donors and essentially a LibDem campaign to keep them in power, Nick Clegg is keeping a low-profile. This is because the Yes side want to portray themselves as anti-politics, despite AV being the ultimate politicians fix. Under AV Clegg will be able to cut a political deal to save his skin behind closed doors with whomever gets the most votes, never mind the manifesto promises…