Labour opposition to AV (Adam Teladia)

Labour opposition to AV

August 2, 2010 12:02 AM

Dear Shabana Mahmood,

I am writing to inform you that Labour's decision to oppose legislation for a referendum on the alternative vote, which was a commitment in your manifesto, is staggering hypocrisy from the Labour party. This decision is not about principle, it is about naked opportunism.

I do not understand how with a number of leadership contenders claiming to back AV for a fairer voting system and some former senior government Ministers claiming to prefer AV for a fairer voting system it is astonishing you now wish to block the legislation to make that happen.

At the general election Labour MPs campaigned on a manifesto committing to a referendum. Now you have the opportunity to make this happen you have chosen to say no for opposition's sake.

How can Labour claim to be the party of progressives and reform when this decision is not about principle but about naked opportunism.

I hope that you will to lobby Labour MPs to seize this opportunity to re invigorate politics by calling for reforms to the unfair voting system. I would urge you to do everything in your power to help the cause of the referendum on the alternative vote.

Yours sincerely,

Adam Teladia