2011 A debate at a meeting of the Tonbridge Conservatives. Stephen Parkinson (now Lord Parkinson) speaks for the No campaign and John Strafford speaks for the Yes campaign!
John Strafford is a political commentator, writer and historian; author of Our Fight for Democracy. John has a long political history of activism (leading the Conservative campaign for Yes to AV) and has been an active member of the political community through out the decades - with regular Newsnight,Today,and World at One appearances. Contact me at: johnstrafford@btinternet.com
Pages
- Home
- "Our Fight for Democracy"
- Index of book
- Preface of "Our Fight for Democracy"
- Book - Order Form
- Introduction - The Meaning of Democracy
- Roman Britain to Magna Carta - 1215
- Parliament to the Divine Right of Kings 1216 to 1603
- Monarchy to a Republic and back 1603-1685
- Bill of Rights to the American War of Independence - 1685 to 1780
- Pitt the Younger to Catholic Emancipation - 1780 to 1830
- The Great Reform Act and its aftermath - 1830 to 1860
- The Second Reform Act to the end of the Century 1860 to 1900
- The Twentieth Century - Votes for women at last - 1900 to 1928
- Constitutional Crisis to the present - 1929 to date
- Conclusions
- The Institutions and other aspects of Democracy - Local Government, Assemblies
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Alternative Vote - Time For A Change?
During the 2011 Referendum on the Alternative Vote I debated the issue with Stephen Parkinson (now Lord Parkinson) at a meeting of Tonbridge Conservatives. I was delighted to see in the audience former MEP Ben Patterson and his wife Felicity. Here is my speech!
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
The Alternative Vote - Time for Change? Episode 7
During the Referendum Campaign in February 2011 a debate about the Alternative Vote was held by the Buckingham Conservatives at Thame. The speakers were Charlotte Vere (now Lady Vere) and John Strafford. Here are the closing speeches.
Friday, September 4, 2026
Alternative Vote - Time for a change - Episode 6
2011 Thame Conservatives debate the Alternative Vote.