DOZENS of campaigners took to the streets of York to campaign for a fairer political system.

Under the first coalition Government in more than 60 years, Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy, Nick Clegg, have pledged to reform the parliamentary voting system in the UK.

But campaigners at the Rally For Free Votes say the public needs to know more about the alternatives before being asked to vote on them.

Councillor Christian Vassie, who was the Liberal Democrat candidate for York Central, led the rally. He said: “What the country needs is a fair voting system, where votes aren’t wasted.

“People are ready for change and this is not just a one party issue, it’s about making sure all parties are engaged to change the country for good.”

Coun Vassie said the pledge by the new Government to hold a referendum on voting reform was a good start, but the public needed more information.

He said: “You never change something unless you know what you are changing it to. We need to put in front of people the alternatives to first past the post voting so they know what their options are.”

The Government has agreed to hold a referendum on replacing the current system with proportional representation.

The rally took place in Parliament Street yesterday afternoon, with supporters encouraged to wear purple to show they were not affiliated with a single party.

York’s Labour MP Hugh Bayley will be addressing a second rally tomorrow to pledge his support for voting system reform.

He said: “Our cross in the box, first past the post voting system doesn’t work well when you have more than two candidates. I am glad the new Government has agreed to hold a referendum on using the Alternative Vote system for Parliamentary elections.”