NEXT month voters have the opportunity to change the nature of democracy in Britain.

The referendum on the Alternative Vote electoral system, or AV system, on May 5 is to its detractors a gratuitous waste of taxpayers money, and a way adding pointless layers of complexity to voting system that is clear, simple and works.

For its defenders, however, the AV referendum is a once in a lifetime opportunity for voters to reform an imablanced and unfair system, making everyone’s vote count and restoring shattered faith in politics.

But what is the Alternative vote system and how does it differ from the ‘first past the post system’ (FPTP) that is currently in place?

When standing in the electoral booth with a list of candidates on their polling card, in the FPTP system voters place a cross next to the name of the candidate they prefer, the number of votes is counted and the candidate with the most votes declared winner.

In the AV system voters rank the candidates in order of preference, and the candidate with the greatest percentage of the votes wins. If no candidate is the clear winner on first choices alone the least popular candidate is eliminated. Second and, if needs be, third choices are then taken in to account until it is established which candidate gained a clear majority of votes.

The Liberal Democrats insisted on the referendum as a condition of forming a Government with the Conservatives in May 2010.

The situation in Redbridge Council mirrors that in Westminster with Lib Dem and Tory coalition cabinet colleagues campaigning on opposing sides of the campaign.

Lib Dem Deputy Council Leader Iain Bond explained why he thinks it is time to reform the system: “It is a small change that makes a big difference.

“It gives voters more influence and more choice.

“It means that no MP is voted in without a clear majority of support. There will be no more cases of MPs being voted in with under 50 per cent support.

“It will force MPs to go out and work for votes from people they do not usually address so as to secure third and second choices instead of just relying on their core support.

“With AV everyone’s vote counts. Under the current system millions of votes are wasted and people are forced to vote tactically in some constituencies to stop a candidate they do want. With AV you can vote for your preferred candidate and your preferences still have weight as second and third choices are also taken in to account. (Why?) “It is a choice between throwing the vote away and giving voters a second preference.

“It is one of a number of reforms that will help overcome the disillusion in politics. People would feel they are being listened to and their real choices count.”

Winston Churchill described AV as "the most worthless votes for the most worthless candidates."

Epping Forest District MP, Eleanor Laing, has campaigned against the AV system for years.

She explained why she believes the Alternative Vote system is wrong for the country: “The referendum will cost £100 million according to the electoral commission.

“It is unfair because it allows someone who does not command majority support to become a member of parliament.

“There should be a clear link between what someone puts on their ballot paper and the allocation of seats in parliament.