> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Intelligence Squared AV debate
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/intelligence-squared-av-debate/
- Published: 2011-05-03T16:05:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-22T09:51:30.000Z
- Description: On 26th April, Intelligence Squared staged a preliminary debate with the motion 'Vote for AV'. Here, OurKingdom publishes a video of the debate highlights.
- Author: Niki Seth-Smith
- Tags: Europe, #Migrated, Politics & activism, United Kingdom, Democracy and government, UK, Referendum Plus, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 15:45, #appended-excerpt

On 26th April, Intelligence Squared [staged a preliminary debate](http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/av?ref=opendemocracy.net) with the motion 'Vote for AV'. 

Arguing for the motion were OurKingdom Co-Editor Anthony Barnett, YouGov President Peter Kellner, and Times columnist David Aaronovitch. 

Arguing against were NOtoAV Chairman Rodney Leach, Conservative MP David Davis and Director of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems Michael Pinto Duschinsky.

Below are the highlights from the debate, chaired by political scientist Vernon Bogdanor.

The opening vote was: **for** AV 168, **against** 199, **don't knows** 112 (a 'no' majority of 31). The closing vote was: **for** 240, **against** 258, **don't knows**, 11 (a 'no' majority of 18).

*You can read a brief account of the debate from Anthony Barnett, alongside the draft for his speech,* [*here on OurKingdom*](http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/anthony-barnett/vote-yes-for-change)*.*  

On 26th April, Intelligence Squared staged a preliminary debate with the motion 'Vote for AV'. Here, OurKingdom publishes a video of the debate highlights.