Scottish Parliament and the AV Referendum

Written evidence from Mr Tony Grahame (AV 04)

I have received your notice requesting feedback.

There are many reasons why these votes should not take place on the same date - and we give a few.

1 - The investigation into the problems at the last Scottish Parliament election recommended that elections be on separate dates.

2- The voting systems will be very different. The Scottish Parliament election already has two different vote elements to it. A further vote on the same day adds to complexity as has been shown in the past with disastrous consequences.

3 - The issues and discussions together with media coverage will be reduced on the Scottish Parliament election to allow coverage in national News on the AV referendum. This is detrimental to the SP election.

4 - The AV referendum will almost certainly get higher response in Scotland on the back of the Scottish Parliament elections (and similarly in NI and Wales) therefore skewing the result and leaving it open to challenge.

5 - At the mention of referendum in Scotland - many will expect an Independence Referendum not an AV referendum

6 - Scotland already has further different voting systems with First past the post, multi member and additional member - a referendum on yet another voting system will be confusing.

This should be enough to go on with.

21 September 2010