On Saturday supporters of the Yes to Fairer Votes campaign gathered in Oxford to hold a “jumble sale with a difference”.
Instead the traditional car-boot sale fare, the campaigners sold items synonymous with the expenses scandal of last year, such as rubber ducks and toilet seats. The jumble sale aimed to encourage an “out with the old” attitude, consigning such scandals to the past.
Organisers hoped to raise awareness and encourage voters to support the referendum on adopting the Alternative Vote. The supporters believe the Alternative Vote will make it easier for voters to directly hold MPs to account, as they would have to get 50% support from their constituents to secure election.
Chris Carrigan, Chair of the Yes to Fairer Votes Oxfordshire campaign said, “The New Year is here and voters have a historic chance to throw out the old politics of scandal and jobs for life.”
Duncan Moore, an activist and Biochemistry student at Oxford, said, “The Alternative Vote may be a small change, but it will make a big difference to people like me who have to look at the electoral maths as much as the policies when we decide how to vote.”
Andrew Mell, the group’s press officer, told Cherwell that among those campaigning, “there was very much a mix of town and gown”.
He said they were looking to organise similar events in order to raise awareness before the referendum.
