Liberal Democrat and Labour MPs have united to urge the business
community to vote "Yes" in May's electoral reform referendum.
Speaking in Birmingham at a joint meeting of Business Voice WM
and the Institute of Directors, Lorely Burt, MP for Solihull and
Chair of the Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Party, and Richard
Burden, Vice Chair of the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform and
Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield, claimed change would mean all
candidates would have to work harder to garner votes.
The MPs were speaking in advance of the May 5 referendum where
people will be asked whether or not they would support reform of
the voting system for General Elections from First Past the Post to
the Alternative Vote.
Prime Minister David Cameron is campaigning against the
Alternative Vote but Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is backing
what is a method of redistribution based on preferences.
Business Voice WM Executive Director, James Watkins, said:
"Changes in the voting system would not normally be seen as a
business issue. But business people in the West Midlands want to
know whether a change in the voting system means candidates would
have to work harder to get support - including trying to win
business people's support.
"This is the question that our business community will have to
consider. We welcome the fact that when it came to electoral reform
a coalition MP and an Opposition MP can come together. Now, it is
up to those in business to consider which way they should vote in
the referendum."