Mr Rutley on AV

This is the  email I have received from him in response to my mail to him about AV:

Thank you for contacting me about electoral reform.

As you will be aware, the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill will provide for a referendum on the Alternative Vote system and for a review of constituency boundaries in order to create fewer and more equally sized constituencies.

The Bill includes a provision for the introduction of the Alternative Vote in the event of a positive result in the referendum, which is scheduled for the 5 May 2011.  The coalition agreement makes clear that despite bringing forward a referendum, this will not prejudice the position parties take during the referendum campaign. 

Although this is likely to come as a disappointment to you, my own personal belief is that the First-Past-the-Post electoral system has stood the test of time and is also the system best suited to allow voters to elect strong, sustainable governments and to allowing voters to eject failed governments from office. As a result, I will be voting No in the referendum and will be supporting the NO2AV campaign.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact me on this important issue.

With best wishes,

David Rutley MP