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A debate on the virtues of the Alternative Vote, with speakers from both sides of the argument putting their case.

Priti Patel, the MP for Witham, forcefully put across her arguments against the need for change: "This system would give undue influence to minority parties and the most worthless of candidates".

Andrew Smith, a former UK Independence Party parliamentary candidate, also put his case passionately: "You can't have a situation where people vote in significant numbers for a party and it doesn't get a single MP elected".

It was a good debate. Unlike the turnout.

The organisers had told us they were expecting around 40 to 50 people. Just 25 were in the audience. Once you took out family and close supporters of the speakers the number was probably closer to a dozen.

Was this because it was a Friday night and the people of Chelmsford had more interesting distractions or was it because the public are yet to get swept up by the AV referendum?

It is interesting to note that media reports are saying David Cameron has now ordered the "No" campaign to raise its game.

These are still early days. The opinion polls suggest that the public is still confused about, or unaware of, this referendum and no side wants to peak too soon.

But even the "No" campaign would have to accept that Chelmsford was a rather disappointing start.

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