Uk Voting Reform Referendum

[Windsor 2,233]

With all the coverage of the Royal Wedding and now the coverage of the death of Osama bin Laden, you may have forgotten about the upcoming electoral system referendum.

 

So come the 5th of May how will you vote on the issue? Regardless of the outcome, will it finish off the Coalition? Do you care enough to turn up at a polling station?

[Tuber Mirum 125]

I voted no.

 

Not because that's how I would vote if I could/were going to vote, but because the question is "who do I think will win?" and not "how would I vote?"

[Windsor 2,233]

I voted no.

 

Not because that's how I would vote if I could/were going to vote, but because the question is "who do I think will win?" and not "how would I vote?"

 

Yes. I thought it best to phrase the question in that manner because some members don't actually have a vote.

 

I will be voting no, and believe the no camp will win.

[Tuber Mirum 125]

Can you explain to The Panel why you will be voting no?

[Windsor 2,233]

Can you explain to The Panel why you will be voting no?

 

I fail to see how winning with 2nd preference votes makes an MP more legitimate. If he only got say 30% of the vote to begin with, 70% of his constituents still voted against him at the first instance.

 

I'm also quite happy with the UK having 2.5 political parties...its suits my interest.

 

In also hate Nick Clegg, and would like to see his face when he realises he sold his soul for nothing...

[Paul Bearer 6,102]

Why are we voting for AV with a first past the post voting system?

 

 

 

 

 

Irony?

[Tuber Mirum 125]

In also hate Nick Clegg, and would like to see his face when he realises he sold his soul for nothing...

 

I'll give you that one. If only because you spelt realises correctly.

[Windsor 2,233]

In also hate Nick Clegg, and would like to see his face when he realises he sold his soul for nothing...

 

I'll give you that one. If only because you spelt realises correctly.

 

I see?

[Davey Jones' Locker 1,324]

In also hate Nick Clegg, and would like to see his face when he realises he sold his soul for nothing...

 

I'll give you that one. If only because you spelt realises correctly.

 

I see?

 

 

Australia's top election analyst has been blogging extensively about the proposed changes to the UK voting system and has dispelled a lot of myths that are apparently circulating in Ol' Blighty. See here: http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/

[Tuber Mirum 125]

Is "re-butting" the same as "rebutting"?

[Windsor 2,233]

Actually it looks like I won't be voting at all.

 

I took up a late job as a polling clerk. It is not at my own polling station, and I will be unable to leave the polling station I have been posted to in order to cast my vote. By the time I was appointed, it was too late to apply for a postal vote. I applied for a proxy vote but a letter arrived this morning saying I missed the cut off date.

 

So at present, I am unable to vote. I will, though, make an attempt to vote at the polling station I'm on duty at. Apparently you can do that even though its not your designated polling station...

[Tuber Mirum 125]

Why are we voting for AV with a first past the post voting system?

 

 

 

 

 

Irony?

No, it's because there are only two options, so FPTP is entirely adequate for the purpose.

[Windsor 2,233]

Why are we voting for AV with a first past the post voting system?

 

 

 

 

 

Irony?

No, it's because there are only two options, so FPTP is entirely adequate for the purpose.

 

Don't worry HCW. I noticed the humorous intention of your post.

[Tuber Mirum 125]

Why are we voting for AV with a first past the post voting system?

 

 

 

 

 

Irony?

No, it's because there are only two options, so FPTP is entirely adequate for the purpose.

 

Don't worry HCW. I noticed the humorous intention of your post.

Sorry, I think I was in Asberger mode when I wrote that.

 

Although you have to admit it's not that funny.

 

Here's why I think people ought to vote yes.

[time 8,618]

I see David Blunkett is urging a 'No' vote - Daily Mail, while Neil Kinnock is urging a 'Yes' vote - Independent.

 

Besides the fact that any argument is immediately invalidated by appearing in the DM, Blunkett has succeeded in making a simple process seem impossibly complicated!

[Rotten Ali 600]

I'm with you on this bit...

 

AV won't smash, but will weaken the two-party duopoly on power, giving the opportunity for the much-needed rise of new parties, which could then modify British politics in an evolutionary rather than revolutionary manner.

 

I can see a future split or two in the major parties and that need not be the end of a greater whole half of the political life. If the Tories were to split into the "one nation" tribe and another "euro sceptic / uber free-market" tribe then the public get extra choice of who to back.

Like wise Labour may split into "traditional labour" and "new / next labour" or even reform the SDP.

I like the idea of electoral reform - AV may not be the best type but it is a whole lot better than FPTP.

 

Vote... yes2AV

[TAFKAG 70]

I have only two interests here. Getting the Tories out and having a (slightly) more interesting time filling out my ballot paper. I would imagine, or at least, in my admitted ignorance, hope, that voting yes would help achieve the former and would definitely achieve the latter.

[Paul Bearer 6,102]

I'm guessing that if we vote for AV, we only have to put the number 1 into our prefered choice only and no need to vote for 2, 3 or 4 etc. So if we vote for AV and it wins, if we put the number 1 on all the voting forms (as a choice and not puting the number 1 on all the canditates) that is the same as FPTP? Or am I too pissed to understand this?

[notaguest 16]

I would have voted yes to PR but AVs not really PR is it? I'm afraid i'll be voting no and I think it will be the end of the liberal democrats but thats what happens when you betray all your voters!

[The Miser 18]

If it doesn't work in life why try it in elections? I'm sure if I was trying to get with a girl that it would work out great if I went with "you are my first choice...but if that doesn't work out....here are the other girls in order of preference who would be least objectionable to me to sleep with." Is the voter really going to be happier if his/her 3rd choice wins over the 4th? Here is a crazy idea...you get one vote. Your option is to vote +1 for someone or vote -1 against someone. I would vote against someone almost every time. Wouldn't it be great to have someone win with negative votes since they have the closest to zero? It might wake up politicians to show what people really think of them.

 

I have a mandate for change...I ended up with only negative 1000 votes...

[maryportfuncity 10,653]

All the polls suggest the No camp have it in the bag. Though probably more as a reflection of the woeful standard of debate and Nick Clegg's decreasing popularity than any reflection on how much the public have considered the issues.

[time 8,618]

The 'No's apparently have it, heading to a 69% share of the vote according to the BBC.

[Tuber Mirum 125]

The 'No's apparently have it, heading to a 69% share of the vote according to the BBC.

Or, expressed in constituencies (as it would be in a general election under FPTP), a 98.5% share of the vote.

 

Same difference.

[Windsor 2,233]

So the no camp wins. I think this is the first time I've voted for the winning side ever.

 

More than can be said for my vote in the Scottish Parliamentary Elections...

[themaninblack 2,112]

So the no camp wins. I think this is the first time I've voted for the winning side ever.

 

More than can be said for my vote in the Scottish Parliamentary Elections...

 

Welcome to England!