Date for electoral reform referendum announced

12.27.02pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Jul 2010

Jo has welcomed the news that a referendum will be held on 5th May 2011 on reforming the voting system.

The referendum, which will give voters the option to introduce the Alternative Vote system for Westminster elections, will coincide with the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections.

The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for reform of the First-Past-the-Post electoral system, and secured the promise of a referendum on electoral reform as part of the coalition agreement with the Conservatives.

Commenting, Jo said:

"Fighting for a fair voting system was one of the reasons I first joined the Liberal Democrats back in 1997, and I am delighted that the British people will finally be given the chance in May next year to get rid of our archaic electoral system.

"The Alternative Vote system is an improvement on First-Past-the-Post because it requires all MPs to have the support of more than 50% of their constituents, and it means there are far fewer wasted votes. Although I believe ultimately we need to go further and introduce a system which makes the number of seats won more proportional to the number of votes, I hope this referendum will be the first step along the road of reform for our voting system."

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