With the debate on AV hotting up it is interesting to note the unusual alliances that are developing. We have a Coalition government with the Conservatives who want to keep first past the post and the Liberal Democrats who have entered into government for the chance to change the voting system which has been their bugbear for many a year. Aside from the Government not agreeing with itself Labour have allowed a free vote so that some MPs will vote yes and others no which to some may give the impression that the party is split over the matter. So far Ed Miliband has shared a stage with Charles Kennedy and today with Vince Cable in support of the Yes campaign while today the former Home Secretary Lord Reid was trying to persuade people to vote No with David Cameron.
   Ironically both the Conservatives and Labour use AV to elect their leader whilst the LibDems use STV and as was pointed out elsewhere if the former two parties used first past the post then David Davis would be Prime Minister and David Miliband the Leader of the Opposition.
   Personally I am inclined towards voting Yes despite this system not being much of a better alternative than first past the post as it does not guarantee more choice - the same candidates will appear on the ballot paper but instead of selecting who I want I now get to rank them in order of preference. I don't want to put any sort of mark against the likes of the BNP even if it is to put them bottom of the list and previous elections would have seen me grappling with whether my least favourite party from those listed was UKIP or Veritas.
Like many in my position who want a change to the system we will vote yes to AV because that is all that is on the table with the hope that once this becomes normal then a bolder reform may take place. However, I feel that a small turnout will see apathy win the day and the status quo  will continue as the public can't get excited about electoral reform.