8/7/2019 Gateshead Democrat Feb 11
1/2
North East Lib DemEuro MP Fiona Hall hasjoined campaignersfrom
across the
political spectrumcalling for a switch tofairer votes.
A referendum onchanging to a fairer
voting system will beheld in May. A cross-
party Yes to AVcampaign is alreadyactive throughout theNorth
East.
Fiona helpedvolunteers at street stallsas they spoke to
passingshoppers and handed
out items to remindpeople of the MPsexpenses scandal.
Fiona said, Thereferendum on fairer
votes is hugely important. It is a once in a generation
opportunity to make politics fairer and toensure every vote
counts.
A Yes vote in the referendum will mean all MPs will have to gain
the support of at least half oflocal voters. Safe seats will be a
thing of the past.
The people I spoke to today are looking forward to finally
getting fairer votes. They recognise
that the current system is outdated and ineffective. The only
people who have anything to fear fromthe new system are the MPs who
owe their position to the status quo.
It is clear from the polls - which show the Yes vote leading the
way - that people are ready for achange. I am sure that lead will
continue to grow as more people learn more about the
referendum.Hopefully, events like todays street stall can help that
process of raising awareness.
Fiona backs campaign
for fairer votes
Fiona Hall MEP teams up with North East students to back
thecampaign for fairer votes. A referendum will be held on 5th May
inwhich people will vote on whether or not to change the
votingsystem.
Referendum to beheld on 5th May
The GatesheadDemocrat
11/1February
2011
The newsletter for Liberal Democrats in GatesheadFairer Votes
referendum special edition
Published, promoted and printed by Gateshead Liberal Democrats,
all at 97 Front St, Whickham, NE16 4JL
8/7/2019 Gateshead Democrat Feb 11
2/2
On 5th May Britain will go to the polls - to vote on how we
vote! A referendum will be held onvoting for MP should be changed
to a fairer system.
Call to arms for fairer
votes - May deadlineLiberal Democrats have campaigned for years
for a
change to the voting system to make MPs work harder,be more
accountable to constituents and electionresults more representative
of the way people vote.
A referendum on changing the voting system was akey demand of
the Liberal Democrats during thenegotiations to form the
Coalition.
I strongly urge all Liberal Democrats to encouragetheir family,
friends and neighbours to vote Yes on 6th
May, said Councillor Noel Rippeth, Leader of theLiberal
Democrats on Gateshead Council. Remindpeople that the voting system
in Britain is broken. Itgave us the expenses scandal and a
situation in whichtoo many people feel their votes do not
count.
Changing to the Alternative Vote will mean MPswill need to work
harder to get elected. They will be far
more accountable to residents and no vote needs tobe wasted.
Gateshead Liberal Democrats will keep you informed of news about
the campaign. In themeantime, visit www.YesToFairerVotes.org.uk to
keep in touch with what is happening to win aYes vote across the
country.
Fairer votes will make all MPs work harder to get elected as
they will have to win atleast half the votes cast.
People will have a stronger voice in Parliament as MPs will have
to keep in touch tomake sure they get re-elected.
Fairer votes will end jobs for life for MPs.
Why vote Yes?
Calling all candidates!The local elections in Gateshead will be
held on Thursday 5th May. Anyone interested in being a
candidate for any of the 22 wards in Gateshead should contact
Frank Hindle on 0191 4879179or [email protected].
All candidates, and councillors seeking re-election, will have
to go through an approval proc-ess if they havent already done so
in the past four years. Frank will provide you with the formyou
need to complete.
The adoption meeting, which is open to all members, will be held
at 7pm on Wednesday16th March at Gateshead Civic Centre.
