AN MP has come out in support of electoral reform in a blog on the Harrow Times website.

Gareth Thomas (Lab/Harrow West) announced he “will be voting for change” in the referendum on electoral reform on May 5, saying the Additional Vote system (AV) is “fairer” and will strengthen Parliament.

He told readers the move "is one way of supporting the need for a different kind of politics".

He said: “I believe that a vote for AV is a vote for change, a vote for: more choice and power for the electorate, even harder working MP’s and a stronger Parliament.

“I hope many Harrow residents will back change on May 5th.”

Under the system voters pick the candidate they want to win but can also rank the remaining politicians in order of preference.

In each constituency, a candidate can only be elected with a majority of 50 per cent and if the politician who comes first fails to get enough support the politician who came in last is eliminated.

Their votes are then shared out among the other parties based on the order of preference and the process is repeated until a candidate reaches a 50 per cent majority.

To read his comments in full click here.