AV: A chance to improve British politics
26th April 2011
The referendum on May 5th gives us a rare chance to improve British politics. The new voting system proposed for electing MPs, AV (the Alternative Vote), is not the system the Green Party would have chosen. It's not proportional representation. But it is a significant improvement on the first-past-the-post system we have at present.
Under AV, voters will be able to rank candidates 1, 2, 3, etc. If your first choice candidate is not successful then your vote can count just as strongly for your second choice candidate. This removes the perceived need for tactical voting and will therefore mean that votes cast will be a much better reflection of people's views. It will also mean that more people are voting positively for what they want rather than negatively for what they don't want. This could significantly change the way British politics and election campaigns are run.
AV also means that elected MPs will have to gain support from a higher proportion of the electorate than is the case at the moment. This will make it particularly difficult for far-right candidates to be elected.
A Yes vote will also send a clear message to the Government that the British public wants change and will therefore make further reforms, such as an elected upper House, more likely. A No vote would be used by the Conservatives and the right-wing media as a reason to avoid further reforms.
AV isn't perfect, but it's a significant improvement and it's a vote for change. That's why we think a Yes vote on May 5th is important.
