The referendum on the Bill will take place on 5 May 2011. This gives all voters the chance to decide the answer to the Government’s question, “At present, the UK uses the “first past the post system” to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the “alternative vote” system be used instead?”. The referendum will be passed if fifty per cent of the people who vote say yes.

Everyone who is registered to vote in the UK will be entitled to vote in the referendum.

For description of what AV entails and some of the arguments for and against the system please go to:

http://www.londoncivicforum.org.uk/sample-news-item/