One week today we will be asked if we want to move to a fairer voting system or stick with the status quo (Comment, 27 April). Our current rules for electing MPs to parliament were designed for a different age, when 95% of us voted for the two main parties; at the last election this fell to 65%. Man-made climate change, nuclear power and food waste are environmental problems which don't break down into the age-old two-party structure. They cut across ideology and partisan interests and can slip through the cracks when the big parties fixate on the preoccupations of the floating voters in marginal seats who currently decide elections.
The alternative vote will allow voters to rank candidates and mean MPs need the support of 50% of their constituents to get elected, a test currently met only by one in three members of parliament. MPs will have to reach further and speak to people who are not their natural supporters, opening the door to environmentalists to put their concerns on the map. The Australian Greens have benefitted from the alternative vote, as voters can support them without fear of letting an unpopular candidate in. But this is bigger than the interests of any one party.
The alternative vote makes it easier for independent-minded people, inside and outside political parties, to be vocal about the environment and for single-issue parties to spring up in support of change. If our voting system cannot cope with the most pressing challenge of our times then it must be reformed and 5 May is our one and only chance to do so.
Alexandra Shulman Editor of Vogue
Amisha Ghadiali Ethical fashion designer and vice-chair of Yes to Fairer Votes
Ann Limb Charity entrepreneur, educationist, business leader
Carol Lake Investment banker
Caroline Lucas MP Green party leader
Daisy de Villenueve Illustrator
Francesca Martinez Comedian
Gabrielle Rifkind Director of Middle East Human Security Programme, Oxford Research Group
Gillian Slovo Author and screenwriter
Glenys Kinnock Politician
Helena Kennedy Human rights lawyer
Hilary Wainwright Editor of Red Pepper
Isabel Hilton Journalist and broadcaster
Prof Jacqueline Rose Professor of English, Queen Mary, University of London
Jay Griffiths Award-winning writer
Joan Bakewell Journalist and broadcaster
Joanna Lumley Actress
Josie Long Comedian
Judith Wanga Writer/documentary maker
Julia Neuberger Rabbi, social reformer and member of the House of Lords
Katie Ghose Chair of Yes to Fairer Votes
Larissa Wilson Actress
Lindsay Mackie Consultant, New Economics Foundation
Lisa Appignanesi Author
Lisa Forrell Director
Lynne Franks Entrepreneur
Lynne Parker Founder of Funny Women
Marina Warner Writer
Nina Kowalska Campaigner
Oona King Labour politician
Pam Giddy Chair of the Yes to Fairer Votes advisory council
Patsy Puttnam Fashion designer
Polly Toynbee Journalist
Prof Janet Todd President of Lady Cavendish College, Cambridge
Rowan Davies Writer, editor and vice-chair of Yes to Fairer Votes
Sara Parkin Founder director of Forum for the Future
Seema Maholtra Fabian Women's Network
Servane Mouazan Social entrepreneur
Sian Berry Writer and campaigner
Solitaire Townsend Co-director, Futerra Sustainability Communications
Sue Hollick Businesswoman
Susan Nash Chair of Young Labour
Susan Richards Author and editor
Tamsin Omond Activist and environmentalist
Tessa Tennant Financial consultant, chair of Global Cool, executive chair of Ice
Timberlake Wertenbaker Writer
Victoria Brittain Journalist
Vivienne Westwood Fashion Designer
Wendy Savage Gynaecologist and campaigner
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown Journalist
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/apr/28/alternative-vote-referendum-environment
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