Electorate says no to AV

In the end the result on the referendum to change the electoral system  to the Alternative vote was unequivocal: 69% no, 31% yes. How we elect our MP’s to Westminster will stay the way things are.

As many of you know OBV and I in particular campaigned for a ‘yes’ vote on a matter of democratic principal. I/we lost the debate which from a democratic position is fully acceptable. The way the campaign was fought disappointed me tremendously. I guess I was a little naïve to think that the political establishment would welcome an honest discussion about if and how our system to elect MP’s could be improved. At every juncture vested politic interests got in the way of any objective debate. Half truths, personal attacks, and scaremongering were the daily headlines, particularly from the ‘Vote No’ campaign.

One individual who tried to be above the mudslinging and engage in the political debate was OBV alumni Peter Boland. He tirelessly engaged with his critics, answering their questions making his own strong case.

We’ll never truly know to what extent the negative campaigning had on the final result but I guess it was significant. Anecdotal evidence given to The Voice newspaper suggests that most Black people voted 'yes' for change. Others were confused by the misinformation.  For example, one persistent lie that resonated with too many Black people was the accusation that AV would give more power to the BNP. I know this to be true because I heard it spoken about on several occasions. One friend informed me after the election that he would be sure I’d be pleased with him that he voted ‘No’ to ensure the ‘BNP did not be given more power than they deserve’.

Politics can be a dirty business. Why? Because power is at stake. But if we care about our democracy we should demand better. It’s not about losing the argument; given the level of defeat the vote may have been lost even without the gross negativity. What matters is that we demand from our politicians a decent, strong and honest argument for us, the electorate to make our own minds up.

Simon Woolley