I have written a few times about my views on the need for electoral reform. This May, we have a chance to vote for change.
I want our votes to count. The proposed Alternative Vote (“AV”) method of electing MPs builds on the strengths of the current system while eliminating many of its weaknesses.
Politicians will be forced to work harder to earn and keep our support. People will at last be able to vote for what they really want.
Saying “Yes!” to fairer votes means:
- MPs working harder to earn – and keep – our support. Your next MP would have to aim to get more than 50% of the vote to be sure of winning. At present they can be handed power with just one vote in three. They’ll need to work harder to win – and keep – your support.
- A bigger say on who your local MP is. Ranking candidates gives you more say – in who comes first and who comes last. If your favourite doesn’t win, you can still have a say. It’s as easy as 1,2,3…
- Tackling the ‘jobs for life’ culture. Too many MPs have their ‘safe seats’ for life. Force complacent politicians to sit up and listen, and reach out to the communities they seek to represent.
AV keeps what works with our current system, and eliminates many of its weaknesses. It’s a long overdue upgrade to make a 19th century system fit for the politics of the 21st century. Our parliament will better represent our communities. MPs will have to have a better view of what your community thinks – and that’s because they will have to listen harder to your views. It’s simple. If someone wants to represent your community they need the votes of the majority of the community. That’s what making every vote count really means.
Read more at yestofairervotes.org.
Other related articles you might want to read:
- AV Special: What is it? How do I vote? What should I vote? (politicalpromise.co.uk)
- Electoral reform: only a broad alliance can keep Tories out (liberalconspiracy.org)
- The New Statesman endorses the Alternative Vote (newstatesman.com)
- Letters: Straw poll on the alternative vote (guardian.co.uk)
- AV referendum: Chris Huhne accuses opponents of lies (dailymail.co.uk)
