Why I'm Voting Yes2Av.
In March 2011, I turned the most sought after age of them all - eighteen. That means I'll be voting in any sort of public vote for the first time in May 2011 (when the referendum on the Alternative Vote takes place).
Originally, I was going to vote No. Perhaps because it wasn't true PR. Perhaps because of the risk of coalitions (which isn't actually true). Then I see an advert with a picture of a sick, premature baby that is on a life support machine. Next to the picture of the poor girl, there is a slogan that reads "She needs a new cardiac machine, not an alternative voting system." This sort of advertising is disgusting and I am embarrassed I ever considered joining the No2AV campaign.
If the No camp has to tread this low, to use negative imagery and false advertising- does this mean there argument against the AV system isn't as strong as the Yes2AV? That is exactly what it means. Almost every cause against the AV system is out-swayed by the for camp's arguments.
No, AV will not produce coalition after coalition. Studies show that had the Alternative Vote system been used for previous elections, there would still be consistent majority governments.
No, AV will not give the BNP power. It is extremely unlikely that smaller parties will benefit like that, as 50% of a constituency's voters must give a vote to the party (that just isn't going to happen for the BNP or the Greens!).
Yes, AV will make MPs work harder to win your votes. They will need to be clever to balance the need for first preference and second preference votes but, that will be a good thing!
As a political student, as a Labour Party member, as a advocate of democracy, I ask you to vote Yes in May. Go to your local polling station on May 5th, give them your name, take a voting card and VOTE YES in the Alternative Votes referendum.