7 March 2011
The Greens have long supported proportional representation, and whilst AV is not a proportional system, the Greens believe it is a 'step in the right direction' and will give voters more choice.
The Greens will continue to campaign for a fully proportional system whatever the outcome of the May referendum.
Cllr. James Abbott, Green Group Leader on Braintree District Council said
"First-past-the-post (FPTP) is a system which worked in the 1950s, when almost everyone voted for one of 2 parties, but it is completely outdated now. We now have a multi-party system, and in the last 12 years we have already seen new voting systems brought in for different levels of elections in London, Scotland, Wales and for the European elections.
AV is a small step towards a better voting system. We would prefer a fully proportional system. But AV does at least give voters more choice and breaks the monopoly FPTP has had on our Westminster elections.
It is no surprise that the No vote is being led by figures from the 'main 2 parties'. They want to keep FPTP because it keeps them in power and delivers them safe seats even though their share of the vote has steadily declined in national elections.
We would urge people to vote Yes on May 5th."
ENDS
Notes:
1.
Greens to campaign for AV
13 September 2010
The Green Party announced from its conference in Birmingham today that the party would join the Yes campaign in next year's referendum on electoral reform.
Many proponents of electoral reform have expressed doubts about supporting AV (the Additional Vote system), on the grounds that AV is not a proportional voting system and therefore its introduction would not be a thorough reform.
But this week's Green Party conference agreed to take a firm line in favour of AV in the referendum, as an initial step in the right direction and to demonstrate an "appetite for change".
The party's deputy leader Adrian Ramsay commented today:
"We want everyone who favours electoral reform to put their full weight behind the Yes campaign.
"A Yes vote would bring a step in the right direction and demonstrate an appetite for change. Greens and others who want a fair, inclusive proportional way of voting will then continue to campaign for further reform."
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