Great debate at GBTF Fringe

11.14.45am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 31st Oct 2005

At the GBTF Fringe meeting, held in partnership with Fawcett and the ERS last Tuesday at Federal Conference in Blackpool, the audience were invited to join in and debate the fairness of the current British Parliamentary voting system. Unsurprisingly all speakers and audience were united in agreeing that changes to the voting system are essential.

The speaker for the Fawcett Society underlined their continued commitment to ensuring that Gender Balance is achieved in Parliament through special measures such as all women shortlists. She was followed by Lynne Featherstone, who drew on her experience as a GLA candidate and member, as well as a new MP to explain how campaigning under different voting systems is different, and how it can lead to vastly different results. She also explained her own approach to campaigning as a woman and how the first past the post voting system had affected her long term strategy, and added that she is keen to see change to the Gender Balance in the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party. Her preferred approach would be all-women shortlists, which would give a quick win!

Claire Rayner disagreed with the Fawcett speaker about all-women shortlist, commenting that women do face different, and frequently more, challenges to men in seeking election but that many women remain opposed to shortlists preferring supportive measures rather than mechanical change. She also outlined her commitment to ensuring that all voters feel enfranchised, and that all voters should be able to know that their vote matters. She commented that the current voting system leads to voters believing that their vote does not matter.

Christine McCartney, Women's Officer for the Electoral Reform Society, outlined her research on the issue. Her papers can be found at the ERS website. She outlined the various systems in use around Europe and commented that the options for change were varied, but that a full discussion needed to be initiated.

Sandra Gidley ended by saying that Liberal Democrats should continue to champion the case for PR. A lively discussion ensued.

Thanks to all the partners in this event for a successful and lively debate.