A Snapshot of Electoral Reform in the UK

The 2011 AV Electoral Reform Referendum

The 2011 AV (Alternative Vote) referendum was a significant moment in the history of the United Kingdom's electoral system. It marked the first UK-wide referendum since the 1975 vote on continued membership in the European Economic Community. The path to this referendum was paved by political negotiations following the 2010 general election, which resulted in a hung parliament. The Conservative Party, led by David Cameron, did not secure a majority and subsequently formed a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, led by Nick Clegg.

Electoral Reform Referendum Result

Electoral reform had long been a core issue for the Liberal Democrats, who believed that the existing First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system was unfair and did not accurately reflect the voters' preferences. As part of the coalition agreement, the Conservative Party conceded to holding a referendum on changing the voting system, though they themselves campaigned against it.