AV will give more Power to Minority Communities

At a press conference organised by Fairer Votes and hosted by Operation Black Vote at their offices on 10 March, Lib Dem GLA Candidate Ajmal Mansoor chaired a panel of speakers debating the importance of voting Yes at the coming AV referendum.

Included in the line up were Katy Ghose of Fairer Votes, Simon Woolley of OBV, Merlene Emerson Chair of Chinese Lib Dems and Farooq Murad, Secretary General of the Muslim Council.

Black and ethnic minority people could have more voting power if proposed voting system reforms go ahead, claimed Simon Woolley Director of OBV. MPs would increasingly have to court black communities to win elections and there will be fewer safe seats where they can take their voters for granted.

All were agreed that the referendum is a once in a generation opportunity for minority communities to have a stronger voice. Furthermore the myth that AV would benefit far right groups such as BNP was strongly refuted; the BNP support the No campaign.

"AV is a fairer system and is literally as simple as 1, 2, 3!" said Merlene Emerson. "That is why Chinese Liberal Democrats support the Yes to AV campaign and are working with Fairer Votes to reach out to the Chinese voters."