AV is not a form of proportional representation. In Australia, which is used as the comparative international example of AV, it is compulsory both to vote and rank all candidates.
Neither is the case in the AV system proposed for the UK. The requirement to vote in Australia means they do not suffer from the same distortions that occur in the UK because of varied levels of turnout. Nothing in the UK legislation or the referendum will address the issue of low turnout in general elections. It is unfortunate that voters are not being given an opportunity either to express their views on FPTP or to show a preference for a system of proportional representation, but only to accept or reject AV.
Quotations are underlined, our notes seeking to explain the rationale for the comments are in black. It is what Britain needs to clean up politics. It therefore reduces the likelihood of coalition government.
At the moment, because many constituencies are two-way fights, people who support a third candidate may have to make a manichean decision about which candidate is their least worst option. Under AV you don't vote tactically but cast your first preference ideologically. While that is true, voters may then cast a second preference more tactically. In Australia, party voting cards are given out telling followers how to divvy up their preferences to help secure a certain outcome for the seat — a kind of tactical slate.
As it is, Tories can win because similar-minded supporters of the Greens, Labour and Liberal Democrats are split across different parties and Tories are able to come through the middle, win seats, and form governments. If there were a move to AV, Labour and Lib Dem party managers would be able to encourage supporters to put each other as second preference and the progressive majority cherished by Vince Cable pictured could rise up. A kind of tactical voting, in fact.
Nick Clegg may have called AV a "miserable little compromise", falling short of a purer PR system, but he has made clear he thinks the AV system a good first step. If there is a hung parliament at the next election the Lib Dems may want something like STV, a system of proportional representation. The PSA says: "A 'yes' vote would probably make further electoral system change later on more likely. The yes campaign only realised latterly the theme most likely to motivate their supporters was how the Conservatives would suffer.
Many Tories feel Cameron hoodwinked them into acquiescing to the referendum in the first place — that, in hung parliament talks, he suggested to them that Labour had promised AV without a referendum so the Tories had to at the very least offer a referendum.
There has been some doubt since then on whether Cameron was being economical with the trust on this. He would be in much trouble and there would be talk of leadership challenges to him.
The PSA rejects this argument. It is a small, sensible step that builds on the current system, preserving and strengthening the link between MPs and their voters. This referendum is a straight choice between a broken system and a better alternative.
In depth: Vote change referendum. AV referendum: Where parties stand. Cameron rejects Clegg votes call. Yes to fairer votes. Katie Ghose says the current system is broken and change is needed. Say Yes to AV. Published 1 April Published 26 April
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