Electoral reform : Yes or No?

[larus]

OK, we have a hung parliament. So, who would like see a change to the voting system and coalitions/horse-trading, or stick with the First Past The Post system. For me, I don't want the instability of Israel/Italy and regular elections, and prefer a government which can implement it's policies.

 

[vulture]

has to be pr...the lib dems only got 58 seats with 24% of the vote and liebour got 260 seats wih 28%

 

[beorhthelm]

reform to what though? in principle there seems to be something amiss in the voting. however the likelihood of returning a majority, and avoiding coalition and horse-trading, is much lower in other systems. are people willing to accept not having a majority government ever again, either Labour or Conservative (or Liberal or other in the future)? would the Liberals poll as well as they do if they weren't the protest vote, their core membership is substantially below that of the other two.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Where's the option for the Alternative Vote? or AV+ ?

Alternative Vote Top-up - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[strings]

Not sure I can vote on this poll. What about STV, or PR and directly elected MPs alongside each other as in Germany?

Both would be better that first past the post in my opinion.

 

[DerbyGull]

Sorry but what does PR stand for?

 

[Gully]

At least with PR the parties have to fight for every vote, at present there is little incentive for many people to turn out and vote because they know their opinion is worth absolutely nothing, this might actually help increase turn-out from an average of about 65%.

 

[Gully]

Sorry but what does PR stand for?

Proportional Representation...seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes a party obtains. Based on a rough calculation the Lib Dems would have got around 156 seats with their 24% share of the vote, instead of the 57 that they did get.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

This is a false choice - there are lots and lots of different electoral systems. AMS, AV, AV+, STV should be offered as choices, especially as two are the preferred choice of two of the main three parties. Why does it have to a straight choice between FPTP and PR (and I take it you mean a pure PR list system)?

In these debates I find that critics of electoral reform are often being rather selective in their examples. Yes, there are some examples of unstable coalition governments. There are also examples of stable coalition governments too. But the bigger point is that adopting the same electoral system as another country won't necessarily mean the stability of UK government will mirror that of another country. Other factors inherent within a country's political culture and the cohesiveness of its society will probably have a bigger influence. I can't remember the name of the country but one country had a history of unstable government under PR, chose to adopt FPTP as it promised stability, and what happened? Yes, they still had unstable government.

Also, it is worth adding that politicians of different political parties work together all the time at the House of Commons and the House of Lords, on select committees, getting legislation through, not to mention having tea breaks and lunch together. Similarly, there is a sense that all political parties are coalitions of different opinions and ideas anyway.

 

[DerbyGull]

Proportional Representation...seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes a party obtains. Based on a rough calculation the Lib Dems would have got around 156 seats with their 24% share of the vote, instead of the 57 that they did get.

OK, sounds different. I'll sit on the fence with this one. I'm happy with the current system tbh.

 

[BensGrandad]

PR will not work as we will never have a government that has an overall majority but the system needs reforming to find a fairer alternative.

 

[fleet]

Is this a first past the post poll or single transferable vote?

 

[Lush]

If you want to add your voice to the call for PR, vote here:

Take Back Parliament

You'll then get e mails about lots of protests and events happening around the country this week.

Wear purple.

 

[Rookie]

PR would inevitably lead to a hung parliament every time and people are bitching and moaning about that.

 

[Uncle C]

I think this poll shows the general level of public ignorance about voting systems. Indeed most Lib Dems who advocate a change have no idea.

As others have said, there are not just two alternatives, so where are all the other options?

 

[Cloughie]

Proportional representation means muppets like the BNP's Mr Griffin will be represented in Westminster and there will always be a hung parliament. I don't see the point in giving idiots power unnecessarily (eg forcing the government to do deals with them and consequently pander to some of their demands).

Anyway the Tories will never agree to wholesale changes so this is effectively irrelevant.

 

[coventrygull]

Proportional representation means muppets like the BNP's Mr Griffin will be represented in Westminster and there will always be a hung parliament. I don't see the point in giving idiots power unnecessarily (eg forcing the government to do deals with them and consequently pander to some of their demands).

Anyway the Tories will never agree to wholesale changes so this is effectively irrelevant.

Can't have anything democratic. Government might have to listen

 

[nwgull]

Proportional representation means muppets like the BNP's Mr Griffin will be represented in Westminster and there will always be a hung parliament. I don't see the point in giving idiots power unnecessarily (eg forcing the government to do deals with them and consequently pander to some of their demands).

Anyway the Tories will never agree to wholesale changes so this is effectively irrelevant.

Much as I despise their views, is it not democratic that the BNP voters have representation in government that reflects the percentage of their support?

 

[vegster]

why isn't there a " Don't Know " option on this poll ? this is very unfair as my voice/vote can't be heard

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Much as I despise their views, is it not democratic that the BNP voters have representation in government that reflects the percentage of their support?

Not when the majority of voters can't stand them. Under stv, it is likely that the bnp would get no seats.