YES! To Fairer Votes

YES! To Fairer Votes was a non-profit making organisation established as a company limited by guarantee called Yes In May 2011 Ltd. Its board was chaired by Katie Ghose (Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society). Other members were Pam Giddy (of Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust), Neal Lawson (of Compass), Vicky Seddon (of Unlock Democracy) and John Sharkey (of the Liberal Democrats).{{cite web |url=http://www.yestofairervotes.org/pages/about-us1/ |title=About Us |publisher=Yestofairervotes.org |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-date=5 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105062856/http://www.yestofairervotes.org/pages/about-us1/ |url-status=live }}

The Guardian's analysis also showed that the YES! To Fairer Votes campaign had outspent the anti-AV campaign by £3.4m to £2.6m, with most of the funding coming from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust and the Electoral Reform Society (ERS). George Osborne the Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer accused the ERS of having a vested interest in a yes vote, as their commercial subsidiary Electoral Reform Services Ltd (ERSL) was printing the postal ballots for the referendum.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/may/02/no-to-av-vote-tory-party-funding|title=No to AV campaign neutrality under spotlight over Tory party funding|work=The Guardian|date=2 May 2011|location=London|first1=Polly|last1=Curtis|first2=Julia|last2=Kollewe|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=26 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826021522/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/may/02/no-to-av-vote-tory-party-funding|url-status=live}} The Press Complaints Commission later ruled against this.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcc.org.uk/news/index.html?article=NzIyMg== |title={title} |access-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313004751/http://www.pcc.org.uk/news/index.html?article=NzIyMg== |archive-date=13 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} The Sun and Mail subsequently had to print retractions.

A number of post mortems of the campaign were written, all highly critical of the way the campaign was run and of its major backers failure to deal with these issues.

The Electoral Reform Society's formal post mortem on the campaign{{cite web |url=http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/blog/the-av-referendum-what-went-wrong |title=The AV Referendum: What went wrong? |publisher=Electoral Reform Society |access-date=21 April 2012 |archive-date=2 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402145927/http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/blog/the-av-referendum-what-went-wrong |url-status=live }} led by Professor John Curtice of the University of Strathclyde identified that "The criticisms of AV put forward by the 'No' campaign were far more popular and proved more effective in shaping how people eventually voted on 5 May. The 'Yes' campaign's key arguments were either lost or did not resonate with people in terms of why they should vote 'yes'."

Andy May, a key member of the Yes Campaign,{{cite web |url=http://liberalconspiracy.org/2011/05/13/revealed-how-the-yes2av-campaign-malfunctioned-behind-the-scenes |title=How the yes2av campaign malfunctioned behind the scenes |publisher=Liberal Conspiracy |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118063351/http://liberalconspiracy.org/2011/05/13/revealed-how-the-yes2av-campaign-malfunctioned-behind-the-scenes/ |url-status=live }} drew attention to a number of strategic blunders in the campaign and criticised the campaign director and senior staff. His view was corroborated by another insider account {{cite web |url=http://www.liberator.org.uk/article.asp?id=221904177 |title=My Yes campaign hell |publisher=Liberator |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129063612/http://www.liberator.org.uk/article.asp?id=221904177 |archive-date=29 January 2012 |url-status=dead }} by former staff member James Graham. Anthony Barnett{{cite web |url=http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/anthony-barnett/av-debacle-waste-of-nearly-%C2%A32m-and-rowntree-reform-trust |title=AV debacle waste of nearly 2m |publisher=Open Democracy |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-date=2 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102143657/http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/anthony-barnett/av-debacle-waste-of-nearly-%C2%A32m-and-rowntree-reform-trust |url-status=live }} criticised one of the major funders, the Joseph Rowntree Reform trust for lack of oversight and scrutiny of its huge donation. Criticism of the Electoral Reform Society's role was also widespread and resulted in major changes to the organisation. In the council elections in 2011 there were 52 candidates for the 15 places available. Only four of the previous council were re-elected with eight of the new members having stood explicitly on a joint platform of reforming the society.

On 20 March 2021 the BBC broadcast a radio programme about the campaign, which was to roughly correspond with the approaching 10th anniversary of the referendum. Several senior figures from the campaign weighed in with previously unheard criticisms of the way the campaign was run, notably campaign chair Katie Ghose saying that "although there was a fair amount of swagger on the Yes side, actually no one knew what they were doing".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56435341|title=The forgotten referendum of 2011|work=BBC News|date=20 March 2021|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605203022/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56435341|url-status=live}} Director of Operations and Finance Nick Tyrone told the story on the programme of how the campaign had considered placing inflatable MPs bottoms in town squares so that people could "kick them".

The following parties supported the change to AV:

• The Liberal Democrats{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/07/03/cameron-will-campaign-against-changes-to-the-voting-system-91466-26777028/ |title=News - Wales News - Cameron will campaign against changes to the voting system |date=2 July 2010 |publisher=WalesOnline |access-date=6 August 2010 |archive-date=6 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806142728/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/07/03/cameron-will-campaign-against-changes-to-the-voting-system-91466-26777028/ |url-status=live }}
• Green Party of England and Wales{{cite web |url=http://www.greenparty.org.uk/News/conference-av-campaign-adrian-ramsay.html |title=Greens to campaign for AV |publisher=Green Party of England and Wales |date=13 September 2010 |access-date=16 April 2011 |archive-date=18 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918052119/http://www.greenparty.org.uk/News/conference-av-campaign-adrian-ramsay.html |url-status=live }} and the Scottish Green Party[http://www.edinburghgreens.org.uk/site/campaigns/yes-to-av/ YES TO AV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919235659/http://www.edinburghgreens.org.uk/site/campaigns/yes-to-av/ |date=19 September 2011 }}, The Edinburgh Green Party
• The Christian Peoples Alliance
• The Scottish National Party (SNP)
• Plaid CymruBBC News: [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11609887 AV referendum: Where parties stand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116033105/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11609887 |date=16 January 2011 }}
• Sinn Féin[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-13051074 NI parties divided over Alternative Vote referendum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127132556/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-13051074 |date=27 November 2018 }}, by Mark Davenport, BBC News, 13 April 2011
• The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP){{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11193145 |title=BBC News - Northern Ireland parties divided on electoral reform |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=6 September 2010 |access-date=16 September 2010 |archive-date=9 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909015119/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11193145 |url-status=live }}
• The Alliance Party
• The UK Independence Party (UKIP)

Although Labour Party leader Ed Miliband supported AV, the party did not campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum,{{Cite web|url=http://labouryes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Labour-Yes-Legal-advice-Q-A.doc|title=Campaigning for the Yes campaign in the 2011 Referendum|access-date=21 April 2011|archive-date=26 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726021103/http://labouryes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Labour-Yes-Legal-advice-Q-A.doc|url-status=live}} and there were opposing Labour Yes and Labour NOtoAV campaigns.

Despite the Conservative Party's formal position against AV, party members aligned to Conservative Action for Electoral Reform, an internal party group in favour of electoral reform, did campaigning in favour.{{cite web |url=http://www.conservativeelectoralreform.org/Media/14-05-2010.htm |title=Conservative Action for Electoral Reform - Press Release |date=14 May 2010 |access-date=16 April 2011 |archive-date=29 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429034811/http://www.conservativeelectoralreform.org/Media/14-05-2010.htm |url-status=live }}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• 38 Degrees{{cite web |url=http://www.yestofairervotes.org/pages/supporting-organisations |title=Supporting Organisations |publisher=Yes! to Fairer Votes |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-date=28 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228005226/http://www.yestofairervotes.org/pages/supporting-organisations |url-status=dead }}
• Compass{{cite web|url=http://clients.squareeye.com/uploads/compass/documents/LawsonSocialism.web.pdf |title=Socialism is Democracy Why Labour Must Support Electoral Reform |publisher=Compass |date= 8 October 2010}}
• Ekklesia{{cite web |url=http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/13809 |title=Supporting the Case for Fairer Votes |date=20 December 2010 |publisher=Ekklesia.co.uk |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-date=29 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229032745/http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/13809 |url-status=live }}
• Electoral Reform Society{{cite web |url=http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/news.php?ex=0&nid=478 |title=Electoral Reform Society |publisher=Electoral-reform.org.uk |date=2 July 2010 |access-date=6 August 2010 |archive-date=6 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006023827/http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/news.php?ex=0&nid=478 |url-status=dead }}
• The Financial Times{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/22471598-8866-11df-aade-00144feabdc0.html|title=UK should vote to reform its voting|publisher=The Financial Times|access-date=16 April 2011|archive-date=22 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222050058/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/22471598-8866-11df-aade-00144feabdc0.html|url-status=live}}
• Friends of the Earth
• Greenpeace
• The Guardian{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/oct/11/alternative-vote-av-referendum |title=Alternative Vote: Loved by no one |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=11 October 2010 |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826021522/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/oct/11/alternative-vote-av-referendum |url-status=live }}

{{col-2}}

• The Independent[https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-a-vote-that-makes-a-difference-2179630.html A vote that makes a difference] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122131626/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-a-vote-that-makes-a-difference-2179630.html |date=22 January 2011 }}, The Independent, 9 January 2011
• Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust,{{cite web |url=http://www.jrrt.org.uk/index.php?page=grants-awarded |title=Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust: Grants Awarded |publisher=Jrrt.org.uk |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-date=18 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518204243/http://www.jrrt.org.uk/index.php?page=grants-awarded |url-status=dead }}
• The New Economics Foundation
• ResPublica{{cite web |url=http://www.respublica.org.uk/blog/2010/06/av-only-option-21st-century-conservatives |title=AV: The Only Option for 21st Century Conservatives? |publisher=ResPublica |access-date=16 April 2011 |archive-date=18 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618131428/http://www.respublica.org.uk/blog/2010/06/av-only-option-21st-century-conservatives |url-status=dead }}
• Take Back Parliament{{cite web |url=http://www.takebackparliament.com/ |title=Take Back Parliament |publisher=Take Back Parliament |access-date=6 August 2010 |archive-date=4 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604010800/http://www.takebackparliament.com/ |url-status=live }}
• Unlock Democracy{{cite web |url=http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/ |title=Unlock Democracy |publisher=Unlock Democracy |date=2 July 2010 |access-date=6 August 2010 |archive-date=1 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801044637/http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}
• World Development Movement

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

The following people actively supported the campaign:

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

• Chris Addison
• Kriss Akabusi
• Rt Rev David Atkinson[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/feb/01/alternative-vote-church-of-england-bishops Alternative Vote backed by senior Church of England bishops] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826021522/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/feb/01/alternative-vote-church-of-england-bishops |date=26 August 2024 }}, The Guardian, 1 February 2011
• Naomi Alderman
• Jonathan Bartley[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11845177 Campaigners against voting reform in Gove mistake] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131022144/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11845177 |date=31 January 2016 }}, BBC News, 26 November 2010
• Martin Bell[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/feb/15/firth-bonham-carter-av-yes Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter back AV yes campaign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826021524/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/feb/15/firth-bonham-carter-av-yes |date=26 August 2024 }}, by Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, 15 February 2011
• Honor Blackman
• Helena Bonham Carter
• Billy Bragg;{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Voting-Reform-Labour-Ex-Ministers-Join-Forces-With-Tories-To-Campaign-Against-AV/Article/201011415834204?lpos=Politics_News_Your_Way_Region_6&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15834204_Voting_Reform%3A_Labour_Ex-Ministers_Join_Forces_With_Tories_To_Campaign_Against_AV |title=Labour Ex-Ministers To Fight Voting Reform |publisher=News.sky.com |access-date=3 January 2011 |archive-date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712124800/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Voting-Reform-Labour-Ex-Ministers-Join-Forces-With-Tories-To-Campaign-Against-AV/Article/201011415834204?lpos=Politics_News_Your_Way_Region_6&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15834204_Voting_Reform:_Labour_Ex-Ministers_Join_Forces_With_Tories_To_Campaign_Against_AV |url-status=live }}
• Melvyn Bragg
• Rt Rev Colin Buchanan;[http://www.politics.co.uk/news/elections/av-race-in-religion-row-$21386986.htm AV race in religion row] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204214200/http://www.politics.co.uk/news/elections/av-race-in-religion-row-$21386986.htm |date=4 February 2011 }}, politics.co.uk, 1 February 2011
• John Cleese
• Steve Coogan[http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/26118/coogan_backs_yes_to_av_aha!.html Coogan backs Yes to AV - Aha!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414151048/http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/26118/coogan_backs_yes_to_av_aha!.html |date=14 April 2011 }}, PoliticsHome, 12 April 2011
• Rt Rev Peter Dawes
• Greg Dyke{{cite web |url=http://www.yestofairervotes.org/blog/entry/yes-to-av-joanna-lumley-roland-rudd-and-greg-dyke-join-the-peoples-campaign/ |title=Blue State Digital |publisher=Yestofairervotes.org |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-date=22 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322200830/http://www.yestofairervotes.org/blog/entry/yes-to-av-joanna-lumley-roland-rudd-and-greg-dyke-join-the-peoples-campaign/ |url-status=live }}

{{col-3}}

• Colin Firth
• Stephen Fry{{cite web |url=http://www.yestofairervotes.org/blog/entry/yes-to-av-stephen-fry-rowan-davies-and-james-palumbo-join-the-peoples-campa/ |title=Blue State Digital |publisher=Yestofairervotes.org |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-date=22 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322200836/http://www.yestofairervotes.org/blog/entry/yes-to-av-stephen-fry-rowan-davies-and-james-palumbo-join-the-peoples-campa/ |url-status=live }}
• Bonnie Greer
• Eddie Izzard{{cite web |url=http://isupportav.co.uk/2010/12/eddie-izzard-is-saying-yes/ |title=Eddie Izzard is saying YES! |publisher=Isupportav.co.uk |date=21 December 2010 |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-date=2 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302094745/http://isupportav.co.uk/2010/12/eddie-izzard-is-saying-yes/ |url-status=live }}
• Rt Rev Michael Langrish
• Rt Rev Martyn Jarrett
• Joanna Lumley
• Kevin Maguire[https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/02/19/av-will-guarantee-david-cameron-or-nick-clegg-is-a-loser-115875-22934610/ AV will guarantee David Cameron or Nick Clegg is a loser] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224011123/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/02/19/av-will-guarantee-david-cameron-or-nick-clegg-is-a-loser-115875-22934610/ |date=24 February 2011 }}, by Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror, 19 February 2011
• Art Malik
• Francesca Martinez
• John O'Farrell{{cite web |url=http://www.yestofairervotes.org/blog/entry/yes-to-av-richard-wilson-john-ofarrell-and-pam-giddy-join-the-peoples-campa/ |title=Blue State Digital |publisher=Yestofairervotes.org |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-date=22 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322200821/http://www.yestofairervotes.org/blog/entry/yes-to-av-richard-wilson-john-ofarrell-and-pam-giddy-join-the-peoples-campa/ |url-status=live }}
• Rt Rev John Packer
• James Palumbo
• Rt Rev Michael Perham

{{col-3}}

• Tony Robinson
• David Schneider,[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13012312 David Schneider supports the Alternative Vote] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131022144/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13012312 |date=31 January 2016 }}, BBC News, 8 April 2011
• Rt Rev Alan Smith
• Rt Rev Nigel Stock
• Polly Toynbee[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/14/vote-yes-for-av To kick Clegg may be tempting, but winning AV is essential] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826021524/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/14/vote-yes-for-av |date=26 August 2024 }}, by Polly Toynbee, The Guardian, 14 March 2011
• Rt Rev Alan Wilson
• Richard Wilson
• Benjamin Zephaniah

{{col-3}}

{{col-end}}

• NOtoAV, the opposing campaign group

{{Reflist}}

{{United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum, 2011}}

Category:Electoral reform groups

Category:Political organisations based in the United Kingdom

Category:Electoral reform in the United Kingdom

Category:Political campaigns in the United Kingdom

Category:2011 in British politics