House of Commons Debate: Political and Constitutional Reform
Sarah Wollaston (Totnes, Conservative)
I welcome the opportunity for the electorate to have a chance to vote on AV, but does the Deputy Prime Minister share my concern that it gives a second bite of the cherry to minority parties such as the BNP?
Nicholas Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council; Sheffield, Hallam, Liberal Democrat)
I think that the alternative vote system, were it to be introduced, would not be susceptible to the dangers of some other electoral systems of fostering and allowing extremist parties to get a foot in the door of mainstream politics. If it were susceptible to such dangers, I would be as concerned as she is.
Dr Sarah Wollaston MP
In August 2009 I was selected by voters of all political affiliations as the Conservative candidate for Totnes, in Britain's first ever fully open postal primary. This has given me a special mandate to represent all views and not just those of the Conservative Party, which I intend to carry forward now that I have been elected as your MP.
After 16 years of working as a GP in rural Devon, I felt it was time for me to stand up for many of the things we all care about, such as strong communities, local healthcare and employment.
As a doctor and a former police surgeon, I have seen the devastating effects of alcohol-related crime and binge drinking, and would take the opportunity to bring my professional expertise to these and other related topics.
In the current atmosphere of cynicism and mistrust of politicians, with my real life experience I can fully appreciate the difficulties that many people are facing in their lives.
Healthcare and science are seriously under-represented in Parliament. I intend to fight for the NHS and for healthcare that is tailored to our needs rather than those of big cities.
I am committed to taking the views of the whole constituency into account and promise to listen and be open to arguments.
