Sadiq Khan MP voting 'Yes' to AV. Jane Ellison MP voting 'No'

Thursday, 5 June 2011 see us all return to the polling stations just one year following the historic election campaign that returned Sadiq Khan (Tooting / Balham South) to Parliament and introduced us to new MP's Chucka Ummana (Streatham / Thornton Ward) and Jane Ellison (Battersea / Balham North).

This time, we are returning to the polls, not to vote, like the majority of the country, to elect local councillors.  In Balham, we are only required to vote in the referendum which will decide whether we want to keep the 'First past the post' system of electing MP's to the House of Commons, or adopt a new system - AV, the Alternative Vote.  Sadiq Khan MP has told me that he intends to vote YES to AV.  Whilst Jane Ellison is campaigning for the 'No' vote.  But are our MP's influenced by how voting went in their Constituencies during the last election and whether each system favoured them entering the House of Commons?

This is ultimately your decision.  Which system is fairer? So, have you decided? Here are some useful links which may help you make that decision, or as in my case, explain how it all works from the very beginning.

No to AV

Electorial Reform Society

BBC Learning Zone 

The Evening Standard Debate

The Alternative Vote Explained (Youtube video)

Aboutmyvote.  Good, unbiased video explaining how each system works.

Any clearer?  Polling Stations for Balham are highlighted on this map here.