Members of the Watford Labour Party have called on its supporters to support changing the Parliamentary voting system to AV.

When voters go to the polls this Thursday to take part in local elections, they will also be asked whether they want to change the way they elect their MP.

The current system – “First past the post” – means whichever candidate gets the most votes, they are the winner.

However, it has been proposed that this should change to the AV (Alternative Vote) system, where voters can rank their preferences on the ballot paper.

If a single candidate wins 50 per cent of first choice votes, they are elected.

If this does not happen, however, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated.

Their second choice votes are then reallocated and this continues until someone does receive 50 per cent.

Although Labour Party leader Ed Miliband is supporting the “Yes to AV” campaign, many senior members are not.

But Watford Labour Party members Emma Collins, Jagtar Singh Dhindsa, Sara Halimah, Andy Head, Steve Palmer and Mike Jackson have all signed a letter to the Watford Observer calling for voting reform to take place.

The letter said: “As Watford Labour Party members, we are all working to secure more Labour councillors and to defeat Tory/Liberal Democrat Coalition policies in Thursday’s local Council elections.

“Coalition policies are forcing ordinary people to face cuts in their services and living standards to pay for the failure of the bankers - who continue to pay themselves fat bonuses. We say this is an issue of fairness.

“But on May 5, there will also be a referendum on Britain’s parliamentary voting system. We write in a personal capacity to urge Labour voters to vote yes for fairer votes.

“Voting reform is sometimes seen as a Liberal Democrat issue but it is not. Labour has been the great reformer of democracy, introducing devolution and proportional representation to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. But the system of voting for our MPs has been stuck in neutral for too long. It’s time for change to give every citizen an opportunity to make their vote count wherever they live and to make politicians more accountable.

The Alternative Vote (AV) system will ensure that no MP is elected unless they achieve at least 50 per cent of the vote. Candidates will need to work harder to secure votes and be broader and more inclusive in their appeal.

“Turnout in UK elections has been going down for decades. Membership of political parties and political debate is also on the decline. Our democracy is stagnating. Part of the solution is reform of the voting system. AV will make voting fairer, ensure that parties and candidates compete harder for your vote and will potentially revitalise politics and democracy.

“Progressive policies are more likely under AV. Some people argue that the present system produces strong government. But the current system produced Mrs Thatcher’s Government and the present Coalition Government despite there being no majority in the country for conservative policies. The Tory MP for Watford was elected with less than 35 per cent of the votes. He was the only candidate arguing for cuts and austerity. We are more likely to have a Labour or a Labour-led government under AV. That’s why the Tory Party and the BNP are so against it and want to keep the status quo.

“By voting yes on May 5, Labour voters can deliver a big blow to the Conservative Party and at the same time reform politics in Britain for the better.”