A vote for AV is a vote to enhance voting system

From: John Weedon, Bellerby, Leyburn.

ON reading William Hague’s comments on the referendum on AV, to be held in May, it appears that he does not understand how the AV system works.

In order to help him understand I set out how the AV system works.

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Imagine an election with 100 voters and four candidates. As with the present system, “first preferences” are counted. If no candidate has received more than 50 per cent support, the last placed candidate is eliminated, then his/her second preference are transferred to the others.

Still no candidate has 50 per cent support, so the next lowest candidate drops out and his/her second preferences are transferred and the candidate with 50 per cent+ wins the seat.

The main change is that AV replaces the X on our ballot papers with numbers, allowing voters to better reflect their attitude to each candidate.

AV is already used widely in the UK. It is the system of choice MPs use in electing the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party use AV when electing their leaders, as do unions, professional bodies representing teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers and architects.

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There has always been evolution in our politics and today AV is the next logical step. The secret ballot, votes for women, and votes for working people were all innovations once and met with opposition. These changes did not damage our democracy, they enhanced it.

I urge all voters to support AV system of voting.