Merton's Labour and Tory MPs join forces on AV referendum campaign
7:20am Wednesday 27th April 2011 in News
Stephen Hammond and Siobhain McDonagh with supporters outside Morrison's at Wimbledon Piazza
Merton’s Labour and Conservative MPs took the unusual step of joining forces to launch their opposition to proposals to change the voting system used in general elections.
MPs Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) and Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) jointly launched their ‘No2AV’ campaign outside Morrison's, Wimbledon Piazza, on Thursday, April 21.
The rare joint appearance is part of bid to dissuade voters from voting ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum on the Alternative Vote.
If a majority of voters do vote for AV on Thursday, May 5, electors will be asked to rank general election candidates in order of preference, instead of simply crossing a box for one choice under the current system, known as First Past The Post (FPTP).
Stephen Hammond MP said: “I am delighted to be helping launch the No to AV campaign here in Merton alongside Siobhain.
“People have a right to know what the Alternative Vote will mean for them – a voting system which is unfair, processes that are unclear, and politics that is unaccountable.”
Whereas Mr Hammond’s support for the ‘No’ campaign is uncontroversial for a Conservative MP, Ms McDonagh is campaigning against her Labour party leader, Ed Miliband, who is leading the ‘Yes’ campaign.
Siobhain McDonagh MP added: “I am urging everybody – Labour supporters, Conservatives and independents in Merton and across London to vote No in the AV referendum on May 5th.
“The Alternative Vote is not going to fix our politics. In fact it will create a system which gives way too much power to the Lib Dems – this is patently unfair.”
The referendum on whether to change to AV is being held after a compromise on voting reform was reached between the coalition Government partners - the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Councillor Iain Dysart, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Merton Council, said he was backing the 'Yes' campaign because AV would make a "big difference".
Coun Dysart said: "Under AV, [MPs] will have to work harder to ensure the backing of over half of the people voting - and tactical voting will be massively reduced.
"I think people are right to be concerned that te No campaign is funded largely by people who also bankroll the Conservative party.
"It's a crying shame that the Labour party is split straight down the middle on this, with their leader commendably supporting it, but many of their MPs and councillors backing a "no" vote simply to attack the coalition and the Lib Dems."
Will you be voting Yes or No to the referendum on the Alternative Vote voting system? Or will you not be voting?
Leave a comment below, call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6335, or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.
Get regular news updates by:
Liking our Facebook page
Following us on Twitter...or click here to receive a daily e-mail news bulletin.
