AV - a new British voting system?

I'm undecided as of yet, but I love this Historians vs Businessmen angle:

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Historians brand proposals for AV voting reform 'a threat to democracy'
Daily Mail
11th March 2011

A group of leading historians have branded proposals for AV voting reform 'a threat to democracy' and urged the public to snub the change in the upcoming referendum.

They claimed moving away from the current first-past-the-post system would harm democratic principles and threaten the idea of 'equal votes'.

However, in a rival letter, 11 a group of 11 capitalists said introducing AV would be a 'victory for fairness' and good for business.

Anti-reform: Historian Dr David Starkey, left, and best-selling author Anthony Beevor signed the letter which described AV as 'a threat to democracy'

The historians, who include broadcaster David Starkey, best-selling author Anthony Beevor and the Regius Professor of History at Cambridge Richard Evans, claim, under AV, MPs could be elected to parliament even if they do not have the backing of the majority of their constituents.

The country will vote on the proposed reforms in the first UK-wide referendum since 1975 on May 5.

In a letter to The Times, the historians wrote: 'The principle that each person's vote is equal, regardless of wealth, gender, race or creed, is a principle to which generations of reformers have dedicated their lives.

'It is a principle upon which reform of our parliamentary democracy still stands.

'For the first time in centuries we face the unfair idea that one citizen's vote might be worth six times that of another. It will be a tragic consequence if those votes belong to supporters of extremist and non-serious parties.'

The letter, which was organised by historian Chris Skidmore, who is also a Conservative MP, added: 'The cause of reform, so long fought for, cannot afford to have the fundamentally fair and historic principle of majority voting cast aside.

'Nor should we sacrifice the principle which generations of men and women have sought: that each being equal, every member of our society should cast an equal vote.'

The historians borrow Winston Churchill's argument that AV allows democracy to be decided by 'the most worthless votes given for the most worthless candidates'.

But in a rival letter, published in the Daily Telegraph, an alliance of businessmen argued there were three 'powerful' reason to vote for AV.

The group, which included the chairman of Aviva, Lord Sharman and head of Home Retail Group, Terry Dudd, said the system would 'force politicians to work harder to achieve more than 50 per cent of the vote'.

They also argued parties would be forced to pay attention to the 'vast majority' of people during campaigns and politicians giving them 'greater legitimacy'.

The letter said: 'A vote for change on 5 May would be a victory for fairness, a break with a system of the past and a foundation for greater political stability.

'It would be good for the country and good for business.'

A number of groups have been set up both in favour of and against AV.

The formation of the No to AV, yes to PR group was announced yesterday, with No to AV already campaigning for a number of weeks.

Campaign group Yes To Fairer Votes is supporting AV.