HARROW residents take the future of British democracy into their hands today as voting on electoral reform began.

People across the borough turned out at polling stations to take part in the referendum on whether to adopt the additional vote (AV) system for electing the House of Commons.

Eileen Urpeth, 60, of Byron Road, said: “Coming out to vote is little effort. I would like to see a big turnout, I was really quite shocked because it's so quiet.

“I though we would be fighting our way in. I think throughout the day it will get better. The weather affects things and this isn't the best start to the day.”

Husband Mark, 50, said: “I just think it's important to vote. It is a big vote. It's a big change.”

AV would see voters rank their candidates in order of preference rather than simply marking a single 'X' next to the politician of their choice.

In constituencies where no candidate gets a 50 per cent majority, the bottom candidate is eliminated and the second preferences of everyone who ranked them first are shared out.

If there is still no one with an absolute majority, this step is repeated until a winner is found.

Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, and Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, occupy opposite ends of the debate on AV, with the former supporting the system and the latter opposing it.

To read what they have to say, click the link below.