Alternative Vote - 5th of May, 2011
3 watchers
Apr 2011
11:02pm, 29 Apr 2011
8,851 posts
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DeeGee
It's actually a total of 8610 voters in those constituencies who have given the Conservatives the most votes and therefore the seat under the FPTP system. So those 8610 voters hold all the power. How's that for "one person, one vote"? |
Apr 2011
11:13pm, 29 Apr 2011
6,110 posts
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Caterpillar
It does seem a bit bonkers doesn't it? And as for "every government would be a coalition" well, not true according to The Times, and in any case, ask Germans or Canadians what they think about the horrors of a coalition. They think it's sensible, and they have political and economic stability, unlike the radical swings to left and right experienced in most FPTP countries. We won't get coalition after coalition under AV, and even if we do, that will be a good thing. |
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Apr 2011
11:23pm, 29 Apr 2011
8,852 posts
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DeeGee
Germany managed a fantastic coalition for four years from 2005, of the two largest parties. That's be like the Tories and Labour working together. Imagine that if you will. France has a slightly convoluted system of AV, where if no candidate wins an overall majority of votes, all but the top two drop out and everyone votes again. It currently enjoys a Centre-Right single-party government with an absolute majority. So, as far as Conservatives need be concerned, they're in better political health than us at the moment. |
Apr 2011
11:30pm, 29 Apr 2011
1,287 posts
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Muds
We stopped preaching christianty to the world. Our new mission is democracy. How do you sell that with AV? Democracy can only flourish with one person one vote (PC version  )
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Apr 2011
11:45pm, 29 Apr 2011
4,138 posts
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Dvorak
May I point out that PR exists in the UK and is used to elect the Scottish Parliament and Scottish local councils? The Parliament has a mix of constituency and list MPs, so can vote for a specific candidate and, if they lose, still have a chance of someone you agree with representing you on the list. Extreme fringe parties don't get represented, but minority parties do gain seats, for example, The Scottish Green Party, Scottish Socialist Party and the Conservatives. It seems to work quite well. (There is also PR for the Northern Ireland Assembly, though they of course have Special Circumstances.) |
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Apr 2011
10:05pm, 30 Apr 2011
8,860 posts
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DeeGee
It's PR light, Dvorak (Additional Member system). It's a nice little fudge which gives the big parties a slightly smaller bite of the cake and gives a little bit more say to the fringe parties. The D'Hondt party list system is proportional, that's true, but it's only a little rider alongside the single member constituency bit. It's the system that they use in Germany. It allows decent smaller parties through. In Germany they have an additional qualifying criterion that they must achieve 5% of the vote to have an MP off the list - it keeps the real nutters out that way. It's not true PR, though, as it's still skewed in the favour of the largest parties. |
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May 2011
2:59pm, 1 May 2011
8,871 posts
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DeeGee
I heard a fascinating snippet yesterday. The leadership of the Conservative party was decided on the Alternative Vote system. If it had been decided on FPTP, then David Davis would now be leader of the Conservative Party. If David Cameron hates it that much, then surely he should resign... |
May 2011
3:22pm, 1 May 2011
344 posts
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curly45
I'm still undecided as a potential PR supporter, but I just dont get AV...and its a waste of money, BUT this is probably my only chance to have a say on this type of reform ever...
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May 2011
3:26pm, 1 May 2011
8,872 posts
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DeeGee
The referendum is a waste of money. However, if it's being paid for, you might as well benefit from it...
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May 2011
3:30pm, 1 May 2011
345 posts
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curly45
Yeah but AV is also a waste of money, confusing and generally pointless...so I would only be voting yes to further the march towards PR. Will that happen though i my quandary...
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