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On May 5th, we’ve got a chance to change our electoral system from First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) to the Alternative Vote (AV). Some people, including me, want stronger electoral reform, but to say no now would be to say no for a generation. AV is not a perfect system, but it’s far better than what we’ve got. So let’s send a strong message to Westminster this may: YES! To Fairer Votes!

On May 5th, we've got a chance to change our electoral system from First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) to the Alternative Vote (AV). Some people, including me, want stronger electoral reform, but to say no now would be to say no for a generation. AV is not a perfect system, but it's far better than what we've ...

Ralph Hill is a World War II Veteran. He has voted in every single election for almost 70 years, but every time he has felt that he had his vote taken away from him. He fought for democracy then, and he wants it now. Ralph will be voting Yes In May.

Will You?

Ralph Hill is a World War II Veteran. He has voted in every single election for almost 70 years, but every time he has felt that he had his vote taken away from him. He fought for democracy then, and he wants it now. Ralph will be voting Yes In May. Will You?

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‘Yes To AV’ Poster for http://www.takebackparliament.com/sites/takebackparliament/index.php/blog/wanted-posters-to-win-the-yes-campaign/

UPDATE: Here’s another -

A second poster, showing the majority of MPs with less than 50% support

'Yes To AV' Poster for http://www.takebackparliament.com/sites/takebackparliament/index.php/blog/wanted-posters-to-win-the-yes-campaign/ UPDATE: Here's another -

Alternative Vote is a terrible voting system for the election of our representatives. It’s hardly any better than the hugely undemocratic FPTP system we use now. So it may be surprising for me to then say that I’ll be campaigning in favour of it in the upcoming Referendum next year, but that’s exactly what I’ll be doing.

Under the AV system, voters rank the candidates in preference order. If no candidate achieves 50% of First Preferences, then the candidate with the lowest first preference share is eliminated, and the ballots for that candidate are redistributed according to the next preferences. This is repeated until one candidate finally has 50% and is duly elected.

Whilst this isn’t proportional, a majority system is still preferable to a plurality system as it means that on average the least-bad candidate wins, although you’re still going to disagree with them. It also means that the divided left, and minor parties, who are vastly under-represented in all levels of government, would stand more chance of gaining a seat.

Regardless of outcome of the referendum, it is likely that the Conservative Party, and those opposed to reform, will use it to quell desire for proportionally representative electoral reform for a generation – as if AV is supported, they will likely say we already have it, and that the cost of successive reform creates excessive cost that would ultimately hit their beloved private sector; and if it’s rejected they’ll claim that there isn’t the public appetite for proportional reform. All arguments that I reject, since AV is barely a stepping stone towards a fairer electoral system, and the democratic deficit is far worse than the financial one created by gross under- and de-regulation of the private sector.

Ideally, I would rather we adopt AV+, AMS, or STV, but in the absence of these options on the referendum ballot, and the potential of losing our one chance for electoral reform for a generation, I will be supporting the introduction of the Alternative Vote.

Alternative Vote is a terrible voting system for the election of our representatives. It's hardly any better than the hugely undemocratic FPTP system we use now. So it may be surprising for me to then say that I'll be campaigning in favour of it in the upcoming Referendum next year, but that's exactly what ...