Boris Johnson claims alternative vote system is bonkers and makes elections less fair

Boris Johnson today dismissed the alternative vote as an "utterly bonkers" system that would make elections less fair.

The Mayor suggested a "gigantic fraud" was being conducted against the British people by holding a referendum on AV.

The national vote - to be held on May 5 - was agreed under the coalition deal by the Liberal Democrats.

Supporters of voting reform pointed out Mr Johnson was elected to City Hall in 2008 under a version of the system.

Mr Johnson admitted: "It may be just about tolerable there, but I can see no case whatever for introducing it across the country."

In an email to supporters, he wrote: "The bizarre feature of this referendum is that neither party who now form the Government, proposed it but rather it was a last gasp from the bunker of the man who lost. The whole thing threatens to be a damp squib. Which is a shame, because the more closely people focus on what is being put to the people on May 5, the more clearly they should see that this is a gigantic fraud."

He added it was "complete tripe" that MPs elected under AV would be more in touch with their electorate or that it would address the problem of Labour under-representation in the South-East or Tory representation in the North, Scotland and Wales.