There has been increasing interest in electoral reform in the UK, particularly since the 2009 Parliamentary expenses scandal. AV is one, albeit limited, response to the call for change. In the immediate aftermath of the May 2010 General Election AV has been widely discussed.

On May 10, 2010 William Hague announced that the Conservatives would agree, if the Liberal Democrats entered into coalition with his party, to a referendum on whether the UK should introduce AV. Conservative MPs would be free to campaign against a change to the present system.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, subsequently announced that there will be a referendum in the summer of 2011 on whether to introduce AV.