In an article in the Guardian today, the Brighton Pavilion MP explains why she will be voting in favour of AV in the referendum on Thursday.

Writing for the newspaper's environment blog, Caroline says: "The AV referendum on 5 May will be the first time that the British people have been asked for their say on how we do politics in Westminster.

"It is a unique opportunity to alter the unfair way in which we elect our MPs, and there is only one choice to be made on the ballot paper: between change and the same old politics.

"The Green party has been fully supportive of the Yes campaign, on the basis that it represents a step towards strengthening our democracy - and because we think it's right that MPs, who will need to secure at least 50% of the vote to be certain of winning, will have to reach out more widely to keep voters' support."

She continues: "To my mind, there is no doubt that AV is an improvement on FPTP, which will give the public a greater voice, reduce the likelihood of safe seats and tackle the cynicism of large-scale tactical voting.

"It would also force the mainstream parties to campaign harder for the second preference votes of Green supporters and pay far more attention to voters' environmental concerns.

"As a result, we could hope to see a real political shift further towards more ambitious green policies - with greater political pluralism and an increasingly environmentally aware electorate ramping up the pressure on successive governments to act.

"While it's no secret that many of us would have preferred a system of proportional representation, that option is not on the ballot paper. We should not let the best be the enemy of the good."

Caroline concludes: "Whichever way you look at it, a "No" vote would be interpreted by this government as a vote against change. It would maintain the status quo and set back the campaign for wider constitutional reform by at least a generation.

"From a democratic perspective and from an environmental one, this is a setback we can ill afford."

ENDS

You can read the full article here: www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/03/green-argument-yes-to-av?intcmp=122