Labours Sudden Conversion To Electoral Reform
I wish it were true but we have seen this all before. In December 1997, Tony Blair’s Government announced the setting up of the Independent Commission on the Voting System, headed by Lord Jenkins. The Commission recommend a new system of voting, the Alternative Vote Plus (AV+).
We have now been waiting 13 years. Could it be that this attempt to change the system has more to do with the Governments poor chances of winning this election than any sincere attempt to make our future MP’s more democratically elected?
The disconnect between the current MPs and the people of Britain, as typified by last years MPs expenses scandal and seemingly ever lower voter turnout, indicates that we need to increase participation and trust by reforming our government institutions.
Labours proposal to introduce the alternative Vote (AV) system is a tiny step in the right direct but it is not enough. The Green Party are currently the only party in Worcester with a confirmed candidate calling for true proportional representation.