Farron: “vote Yes to AV in May!”

On Friday South Lakes MP and Liberal Democrat Party President, Tim Farron, launched the Liberal Democrats Yes! To Fairer Votes campaign with an event in Manchester.

Kicking off the day with the keynote speech, Tim spoke to over 100 local activists and voters about the life changing opportunity that we have before us to bring about real electoral reform. He described defenders of the current First-Past-The-Post system as "harrumphing majors" and compared them to those who opposed giving the vote to women in the early 20th century.

Joining Tim at the event were Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes MP, John Leech MP, Gordon Birtwistle MP, leading member of Liberal Youth Sarah Harding and former children's television presenter and Baroness Floella Benjamin, all of whom spoke passionately for the need for electoral reform.

Speaking after the event Tim said: "In just over 6 weeks time we have the opportunity to make simple change that will have a huge difference on politics in Britain. A Yes vote in May will once and for all put to bed the scandal of expenses abuses that we saw in the last Parliament and will end the ridiculous tradition of safe seats, forcing MPs to work harder for your votes.

"For the first time in our lifetimes we have genuine electoral form within our grasps and if we lose... it will be the last time in our lifetimes. So it is absolutely vital that you get up and vote Yes! on May 5th so that we can send a strong message to Westminster that we want fairer votes!"