The United Kingdom Elections 2010

[Beskar]

One of the fascinating possibilities that is emerging along with the Liberal Democrats' poll ratings is the constitutional impact. If the Lib Dem party delivers a high twenties share of the vote, this is likely to end up with a Labour-Liberal government where the LD holds quite a lot of moral power. It would be almost impossible for such a government to resist their core demand of a change in the voting system to one of proportional representation. If that happens (and it is increasingly likely, it seems) then there will never again be a Conservative government unless there is a seismic shift in voting trends.

Whatever one's feelings about the Tories, having an opposition with no realistic chance of government (not because of policy, but because of voting system) is a fundamentally bad thing. Yet the UK is probably weeks away from such an outcome.

Food for thought.

PR is a fundamentally bad system though. It is about electing parties and not people.
(This is inregards to elections which revolve around picking a party, and if a party gets 20% of the votes, they get 20% of the Seats and the Party decides who goes into those seats.)

There should be a bunch of democratic reforms, however, making parties stronger is a bad idea. Introducing things like "Single-Transferable Vote" (STV), "Re-Open Nominations" (RON), re-laying the boundaries based on population for Members of Parliament (removes rotten boroughs), allowing multiple candidates ascribing to the same party to stand, Regional Governance, Electable Mayors. (shouldn't be just London that elects their Mayors), the reformation of the House of Lords, perhaps even rename it to "Senate" and redefining its purpose. Could even do an electable Cabinet based on purson for the job.

[gaelic cowboy]

PR is a fundamentally bad system though. It is about electing parties and not people.
(This is inregards to elections which revolve around picking a party, and if a party gets 20% of the votes, they get 20% of the Seats and the Party decides who goes into those seats.)

PR is used in the Republic and it is not about electing parties and giving them seats It does however elect people who happen to be members of parties the same would be true in UK

Incidently Ireland is one of the longest stable democratic countries in Europe apart from UK.

[Beskar]

PR is used in the Republic and it is not about electing parties and giving them seats It does however elect people who happen to be members of parties the same would be true in UK

Depends on the PR system. The one I illustrated is the most popular form which some one says "PR". What you are describing sounds like a hybrid between FPTP and PR. Need more information on it to comment, wikipedia is bare in that area.

[gaelic cowboy]

Depends on the PR system. The one I illustrated is the most popular form which some one says "PR". What you are describing sounds like a hybrid between FPTP and PR. Need more information on it to comment, wikipedia is bare in that area.

I believe Single Transferable Vote is the technical term.

It make's for great theatre in elections too which is nice if your a political junkie

[Beskar]

I believe Single Transferable Vote is the technical term

Which if you read after that comment you quoted, is what I suggested we should adopt in the UK.

I make a distinction between PR (Party-List) and STV. Sorry if that confused you. The Party-list setup basically means you do not get to choose who gets in government, it is just some one "from that party/group".

As quoted from the first-line of STV in wikipedia:

The single transferable vote (STV) is a preferential voting system designed to minimize "wasted" votes, provide proportional representation, and ensure that votes are explicitly cast for individual candidates rather than party lists.

The bold bit is the distinction.

[gaelic cowboy]

Which if you read after that comment you quoted, is what I suggested we should adopt in the UK.

I make a distinction between PR (Party-List) and STV. Sorry if that confused you. The Party-list setup basically means you do not get to choose who gets in government, it is just some one "from that party/group".

As quoted from the first-line of STV in wikipedia:


The bold bit is the distinction.

Whoops my fault