Last Saturday's vote showed a sharp split among his party's traditional supporters.

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Many observers see Pierce's role in the three-way race as that of a spoiler, saying he may split the anti-Kim vote and enable Kim and his core supporters to win the primary.

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Labour leader Ed Miliband is campaigning for a yes vote in the referendum but his party is split on the issue.

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Before Mr Tatchell put his case a preliminary vote on the motion found delegates split 50-50.

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Governor King has tried his best recently to ward off demands for tighter monetary policy that has seen a split-vote for several quarters.

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