Rifkind - vote 'no' to AV

But while some in Kensington may not fully appreciate the details of the AV referendum, I can tell you that it is important not just to London, but the whole of the country - and our city will play a vital part in the outcome.

Whether we like it or not, we are being asked to vote for a fundamental change to our voting system and our democracy.

Men and women fought for centuries to get to where we are today - a voting system based on the fundamental British belief of fairness.

The principle that everybody in our country should get one vote, and cast it in the knowledge that every vote will be equal.

It is a principle used across the world by nearly two and a half billion people.

A 'yes' vote on May 5 would end all of this.

Instead of your one vote being equal, we would have a system where other people's votes could be counted more than your own.

Indeed, under AV, supporters of extreme parties like the BNP often get multiple votes, but supporters of mainstream parties only one.

What's more, with 2012 around the corner and when people here in Kensington are looking towards Olympic success, do we really want a political system where the candidate who comes third can end up first?

That is what you get under AV, and this is why I am urging everybody in Kensington to vote 'no' on May 5.