Whilst the official YES and NO campaigns have launched their respective campaigns (see http://nationalliberal.org/?p=2142) the National Liberals have continued to promote their own YES to AV campaign under the title ‘Cross Your Fingers’. This is because they are calling upon the public to ‘cross their fingers’ while voting YES and hope this will lead onto further reform, including the introduction of a form of PR.

An update of the leaflet entitled HavE YOUR SAY was recently released

(see http://nationalliberal.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/avbw.pdf for downloading).

• In Havering Councillor David Durant (and NLP National Secretary) has extended his AV survey beyond his ward to other parts of the borough. Over 10,000 leaflets have been delivered. The feedback indicates that voter interest is low (less than 100 responded) but the YES and NO camps amongst those definite to vote is Neck and Neck! David said “Clearly electoral reform interests the political ‘anorak’ but doesn’t enthuse the general public, understandably concerned about jobs, cuts and rising fuel prices. However this is the first major reform of how we elect MPs for the last hundred years. For those of us who take our democracy seriously anything less than a YES victory we fear will put back any further electoral reform for years”.

We agree with David and urge activists to do their bit in getting out the YES vote!

• Members have delivered campaign leaflets in Torquay, Sheffield, and Central London.

• In Elm Park the AV leaflet has been reproduced within the local National Liberal newsletter the Elm Park Voice.

• A letter explaining our stance will be going out to all our contacts in the near future.

In the meantime we urge all activists to purchase the leaflet and report back on their activities. If you would like to be involved please contact us at natliberal@aol.com or write PO Box 4217, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 4PJ. If you can’t be actively involved in the campaign please give a donation or send a cheque to our address.