Voting on Thursday - 5th May

Inside the Yes and No AV referendum campaigns

'The 5 May referendum on the Westminster voting system may have failed to ignite public enthusiasm so far, yet passions are running high among campaigners on both sides.'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12989168

Yes to AV

'The Electoral Reform Society is an independent campaigning organisation working to empower and inform you, the voter. Our aim is to:

• Ensure all votes have equal value
• Give effective representation to all significant points of view within the electorate
• Allow electors to vote for their preferred candidates without fear of wasting their votes
• Ensure the accountability of individual representatives to their electorates.'

http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/article.php?id=2

http://www.yestofairervotes.org/

No to AV

'NOtoAV is a campaign that has support from right across the country. Members of the public, trade unionists and members of several political parties are part of a campaign that has a common goal. Whilst we have many different views on what system of elections is best for Britain, we all believe that the Alternative Vote (AV) system will only damage Britain's democracy.'

http://www.no2av.org/

No to AV... Yes to PR

'Our current system is flawed and we need real electoral reform. Unfortunately, AV is the wrong change, and a Yes vote risks making our current problems worse.'

http://www.no2av-yes2pr.org/why-vote-no/

My belief

The problem is not the voting system, but the general apathy of the UK populous over anything to do with politics. In 2005, nearly 40% of people didn't even bother to turn out and vote. In 2010 however, this figure reduced to just less than 35%, as turnout increased to 65.1%.

So, how do we get more people interested in who runs the country on their behalf? Is altering the voting system the best way to do this, or will this risk alienating even more people? Is AV actually the best solution, or is full party proportional representation the way forward for the UK? What about sticking with 'First past the post' as sometimes doing nothing is the best option?

Me... well I'll be voting 'No' on Thursday as I believe 'First past the post' still offers the UK the best solution... for the time being... but perhaps it is time to have a debate on making voting a statutory responsibility for all UK residents.

Voter turnout

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout

Election 2010: Turnout mapped

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8672976.stm

United Kingdom General Election, 2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_2010

UK General Election 2010 results map

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/2432632/UK-General-Election-2010-political-map.html
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