news story

3rd July 2010

Local MP Welcomes Referendum on Changing UK Voting System

Thornbury & Yate MP Steve Webb has welcomed the Coalition Government's announcement that there will be a referendum on 5th May next year to decide whether the country wants to change the voting system in General Elections to the 'Alternative Vote' system, or to stick with the current 'first past the post' system.

The Liberal Democrats will be campaigning in favour of the change, and more information can be found about their campaign here: http://www.fairervotes.org.uk/

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

"This is one step in the process to get a fairer voting system in this country. AV is not a perfect system, but it is certainly fairer and gives every MP the backing of half their electorate," he said.

"It will give people the opportunity to vote for the person they want to be their MP, rather than voting against the person they don't want."