Make My Vote Count

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Parliament - Open House but "Closed to Democracy"

'Vote for a Change' campaigners have condemned parliament as "closed to genuine democracy," as the House of Commons prepares to welcome visitors for Open House Day - www.parliament.uk/visiting/visitingandtours/openhouse.cfm

Supporters of a referendum on the voting system, including human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and Marcelle D'Argy Smith, ex-editor of Cosmopolitan and Woman's Journal, gathered outside the main entrance to the House of Commons today.

Friday's demo is part of a new series of protests organised by the 'Vote for a Change' campaign group. The protests are designed to build public support for voting reform and to press politicians to deliver a referendum on the day of the next general election.

Peter Tatchell said:

"This weekend the House of Commons will throw open its doors as part of Open House Day, but parliament remains closed to genuine democracy. Our voting system is unfair. It results in the election of MPs and governments with only minority support.

"The Chartists and the Suffragettes fought for a representative parliament. Their battle is still unfinished. At no point since the Second World War has any British government won a majority of votes. Not a single sitting MP has secured the support of a majority of their constituents. Three MPs - George Galloway, Roger Godsiff and Ann McKechin - were elected with the support of less than 20% of registered voters.

"For the sake of democracy, we need a fairer, more representative voting system. We are calling on all political party leaders to support a referendum on voting reform on the same day as the next general election."

Willie Sullivan for the 'Vote for a Change' campaign said:

"An Open House isn't just about pulling down the cordons once a year. We need a parliament that values citizens as voters, not just as tourists. Yet in election after election our voices haven't been heard, and that's thanks to an antique electoral system.

"A referendum is our chance to let the light of day into a Museum Piece Parliament. Our MPs can make the same old arguments about National Heritage, but the final verdict must rest with the voters."

Photos to follow shortly

Posted: 18/09/09

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