On Tuesday 3rd May 2011, local MP Mary Macleod will be taking part in a public debate on the Alternative Vote (AV) Referendum.  The event will be chaired by Chiswick resident Michael White, the Associate Editor and former Political Editor of The Guardian.

Representing the YES to AV campaign will be Mike Tuffrey AM, a Liberal Democrat politician and member of the London Assembly.  He was leader of the Lib Dem Assembly Group from May 2006 until May 2010.  He will be joined by former Councillor Serge Lourie, who was Leader of Richmond Upon Thames Council until 2010.  He was a councillor for Kew for 28 years and is co-ordinating the YES campaign in Richmond.

Representing the NO to AV campaign will be Mary Macleod MP, Member of Parliament for Brentford and Isleworth, who lives in Chiswick and was elected in May 2010.  She will be joined by Cllr Adrian Lee, a Chiswick Councillor representing Turnham Green ward.  He was first elected to the London Borough of Hounslow Council in 1998.

After each speaker has put their point across, the debate will be opened to questions from the floor and the public will get a chance to ask questions about the issues in the referendum.

Mary said:  “I am delighted that such a frank and open public debate has been organised in the local area.  I very much look forward to being able to help the public understand more about the important issues involved in this referendum.”