Now that the Lib Dems have got the go-ahead for a referendum on the Alternative Vote in May, I would urge residents to think carefully how they are going to vote, as I don’t see what it would improve.

With AV, we nearly always end up with a coalition Government, as we have at present.

It also makes the political parties’ election manifestos not worth the paper they are written on.

In a coalition, the parties hardly have to honour any pledge as they use the “we have to compromise” excuse every time, a bit like the Lib Dems are doing at the moment.

Secondly, it encourages negative politics, such as voting for someone you don’t want rather than voting for someone you do want.

I will therefore be saying no to AV in May.

Shaukat Hussain, Cedar Court, Blackburn.