Cameron wants reform?

Conservative Leader, David Cameron, is reported as saying:

“I believe every vote should carry the same weight." .. The current system is "neither fair nor efficient".

"We should start by looking at the way MPs are elected. ... [We need to] give people confidence that their vote really mattered."

Don't get too excited though; it's only the old nonsense about reducing the number of MPs and equalizing the size of constituencies as though that would solve anything.

You can find some general material at http://www.makemyvotecount.org.uk/blog/archives/2009/04/cameron_thinks.html to help you write about this to Mr Cameron, your Conservative MP or candidate and/or the press, especially the Sunday Times and Telegraph which have been carrying the story. Alternatively, you may prefer to write more specifically in favour of STV.

BC-STV

British Columbia is holding a second referendum on 12 May 2009 to decide whether to change from First Past The Post to STV for electing members of its provincial legislature.

Victory for STV would be a victory for democracy in the province. It would also add weight to the campaign in the UK while defeat there would give comfort to our opponents.

Many British Columbians have family links in the UK. If you have any relatives or friends in the province, will you please encourage them to vote for BC-STV in the referendum? You may find it helpful to refer them to http://stv.ca/join

Although STV campaigners won a clear majority (58%) throughout the province and in all but two of the individual ridings (constituencies) for the same proposition on 17 May 2005, they just failed to achieve one of the two artificial thresholds the provincial government had set (60% overall and a clear majority in 48 of the 79 ridings). Unfortunately, the provincial government has done the same this year. Accordingly, it is important to maximize the "Yes" vote and win legally, as well as morally, this time.

Please don't put this off but contact your British Columbian friends and relatives now while it is fresh in your mind.

Explain STV simply

Still on British Columbia, if you think you can explain STV in 140 or fewer characters, visit http://stv.ca/node/791 and have a go.

Conviction politics

John Cross has brought my attention to the Government's consultation - http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/docs/prisoner-voting-rights.pdf - on letting prisoners vote. Readers will no doubt have their own views on this, but I am sure we all agree that prisoners in marginal constituencies should not have more effective votes than law-abiding citizens in safe seats and that STV would reduce the problem. To be realistic, the Government will not change the voting system just because of this consultation, but it is another opportunity to make a case for reform and I hope you will respond appropriately.

Although most of the questions in the consultation paper are specific, No. 13 is a general one and gives us an opportunity to express our views:

"Do you have any other comments and suggestions for implementing the Hirst (No. 2) judgement?"

STV Action

Helen Cross has given the STV Action website a new look so, if you have not seen it recently, please visit www.stvAction.org.uk and see what you think.

Corruption in Erith and Thamesmead?

There would be much less temptation to rig an internal party ballot or allege that someone else was trying to rig it if the party, instead of in effect choosing the MP, offered a choice of candidates from which voters at large would choose MPs by a preferential voting system such as STV.

You may wish to write to the press and/or the Labour Party (especially if you are a party member) to make this point. Please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8005377.stm if you would like more details of the allegations.

Do please use the link near the top of this newsletter to tell me your views on its contents or on any other aspect of STV. I would especially welcome your ideas for campaigning, but please comment on other matters if you wish.