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Referendum?


observer

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Seems there will be a referendum on changing the voting system next May - between sticking with the present first past the post system OR the proposed Alternative Vote system. Believe Eddy Izzard is fronting the campaign for change - which basically comes down to the Tories V LibDems, with Labour split both ways. With the LibDems now a dead man walking, this will be their last chance to continue to exist as a National Party. SO, will you be voting? :?

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I always vote but a bit stuck for possibilities now as each of the parties have lost any credibility in my eyes and I have no confidence whatsoever in any of them.

 

......but I'm sure they will only change the voting system if it will work 'in their favour :wink:

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The AV system couldn't have been designed better, for allowing the third Party LibDems in. No Tory will vote Labour, and niether will Labour voters vote Tory; SO, their second preference votes would go to the LibDems in the main. So, it's a least worst option for voters and a vote against something than for something. Not truly proportional or really representative. But if it does get through, it'll save the LibDems from being wiped out. :roll:

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No it's not - it's having a Party in Government that was most folks second preference rather than their first preference; and would guarantee hung parliaments giving undue influence to a third Party ever after. :roll: There are two reasons for electing folk: 1) to elect a direct representative for a constituency. 2) to elect a Party with a sufficient majority to form a Government. Niether can be satisfactorily achieved through our current system; and to do it imo, requires a seperation of the two requirements; by having the Executive (the Gov) in the form of a 100 seat Senate, elected on a direct correlation of the number of votes cast for ALL Parties. :roll:

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Correct Kije, which adds to my arguement that we need a system that seperates the Executive from the House of Representatives (legislature) - seperation of powers provided by checks and balances. :wink: In theory, you could actually do without "Party" candidates as MPs, as their point and purpose would be to represent the interests of their Constituency, NOT their Party. :shock:

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The problem is Kije, in a world of professional specialisation, we have consigned the function of decision making to a political class, cos, other than a cross on a ballot form, we havn't got the time or interest to get involved. This allows the participants in the increasingly rarefied atmosphere of "Party politics", to pursue minority agendas or just simply ride the gravy train - thus increasing the disconnect between those who "know what's best for us" and majority opinion. There is a debate to be had on creating a more meaningfull and representative democracy, with such ideas as increasing referenda on issues (like the Swiss); a democratic centralist system; time limits on political office etc etc. BUT, in order to move down that road, requires the support of the very people who currently monopolies political power - and turkeys just don't vote for Xmas. EG: How long have they been talking about reforming the House of Lords into an elected Chamber? It's currently a nominated set of geriatrics and time servers, nominated on the basis of the political patronage and interests of the main Parties - and "call me Dave" has just pumped it up to around 8oo seats. :roll:

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