PowerSwitch

The letter that officially launches our campaign

Signalling the full public launch of our campaign for an election day referendum on the voting system, today in The Observer the following letter has been published:

The expense crisis reveals a nation governed by a political elite that has stopped listening and who are accountable to no one but their party machines. Too many MPs seem more interested in changing their homes than changing the world. Our society faces real problems - mass unemployment and growing poverty, the threat of climate chaos and an erosion of our civil liberties to name but three. These all require effective government working on behalf of the popular will. Yet our whole political system is close to collapse. We demand a new electoral system that makes everyone's vote count.

On the day of the next general election, there should be a binding referendum on whether to change to a more proportional electoral system. This should be drawn up by a large jury of randomly selected citizens, given the time and information to deliberate on what voting system and other changes would make Parliament more accountable to citizens.

We demand the right to be able to vote for a change:

(signatories)

Helena Kennedy, QC; Philip Pullman, author; Damon Albarn, musician; John Sauven, Greenpeace; Martin Bell, anti-sleaze campaigner; Richard Wilson, actor; Polly Toynbee, journalist; Susie Orbach, author and psychologist; Jonathan Pryce, actor; Caroline Lucas, leader Green party; Brian Eno, musician; Neal Lawson, Compass; Ken Ritchie, Electoral Reform Society; Colin Hines, Green New Deal; Matthew Taylor (personal capacity), RSA; Hari Kunzru, author; Mark Thomas, comedian; Oona King, ex Labour MP; Michael Brown, journalist and ex-Tory MP; Pam Giddy, Power Inquiry; Salma Yaqoob, Leader Respect; Wes Streeting, President NUS; Gordon Roddick; Lisa Appignanesi, Chair of PEN; Prof James Forrester; Carmen Callil, author and publisher; Sunder Katwala, Fabians; Billy Bragg, musician; Sam Tarry, Chair Young Labour; Peter Facey, Unlock Democracy; Prof David Marquand; Dave Rowntree, musician; Richard Reeves, Demos; Ann Pettifor, Advocacy UK; Prof Richard Sennett; Sunny Hundal, Liberal Conspiracy; Anthony Barnett, openDemocracy; Richard Grayson, Social Liberal Forum; John Harris, journalist; Pete Myers, enoughsenough.org; Steve Richards, journalist; Tony Robinson, actor; Richard Murphy, Tax Justice; Jeremy Leggett, Solarcentury; AC Grayling, philosopher; Katie Hickman, author; Benedict Southworth, World Development Movement; Lance Price, journalist; Ann Black, Labour activist; Peter Tatchell, Human Rights campaigner; Hilary Wainwright, Red Pepper; David Aaronovitch, journalist; Kevin Maguire, journalist.
Posted: 24/05/09

http://www.makemyvotecount.org.uk/opus26486.html