A surprisingly large crowd turned attended this afternoons AV debate in a swelteringly hot Pump Rooms.
The sometimes heated meeting, was ably chaired by Adrian Kibbler from the Tenbury Advertiser.
Against AV was Harriett Baldwin MP, and WCC Cllr Dr Ken Pollock, and for AV Neville Farmer (Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson, Wyre Forest) and Dr Miles Weaver (Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management at De Montfort University & former Tenbury Resident.)
I'm not sure that any of the arguments put forward will have changed many minds, but it was interesting see see how the speakers thought.
Harriett Baldwin wondered whether the people who voted for the Bus Pass Elvis Party (Do visit their website) should really be able to have six choices and perhaps hold the balance of power.
With first past the post, you knew who you voted for and which manifesto.
Neville Farmer wondered if the existing MP for Wyre Forest should be in Parliament when he only polled 36% of the vote. He also felt that under AV you could vote for who you wanted for and not feel that your vote would be wasted and so should vote tactically.
Miles Weaver, felt that AV wasn't the best system, but was a better option than the existing one.
Ken Pollock, felt that AV would lead to endless confusion and a lower turnout, with more people becoming disconnected from the political system.
Of course, all this would make no change in this constituency where there was a 74% turnout and where Harriett Balwin took over 50% of the vote.
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