Liberal Democrats will fight for fair votes

1.27.11pm GMT Tue 2nd Feb 2010

"AV" is not enough to give voters real power

Commenting on BBC reports that the Government intends to put forward a referendum on the Alternative Vote for the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said: "If this is confirmed then it is a deathbed conversion to electoral reform from a party facing an historic defeat, which is why scepticism is warranted.

"The Alternative Vote is a small step in the right direction, but it is not a proportional system and it does not give voters real power over both the party and the person elected as MP.

"Only the Single Transferable Vote in multi-member seats would abolish MPs' meal tickets for life, and we will fight to amend this proposal to give people a real choice for a more significant change."