AV

[Jazz]

Has anyone got any opinions about this...the Alternative Voting system. On reading the leaflet put through our door it doesn't seem to make a great deal of difference to the present system. Maybe it could give more of a chance to the minor parties like the Greens or maybe The Monster Raving Loonies!?

[Shadow]

Ive not had the leaflet Jazz.

Being honest I dont understand it-used to the current system when you just vote for whom you want to govern

I have read that it will benefit smaller parties but Im not clear on how that works

[Banshee]

I will be voting for AV. its not exactly PR which would have been better, and its not ideal in any way. But it has to be a step towards a better voting system, and anything has to be better than the curent one. Our curent system allowed Blair to be in charge, even though 70% of us did not vote for his party. It also allowed the current coalition government that 100% of us did not vote for.

[Shadow]

Still cant get over the coalition

And how comes weve got em for five years

No-one voted for that

[nicknackpaddywhack]

Apr 2, 2011 20:44:37 GMT 1 Shadow said:

Still cant get over the coalition

And how comes weve got em for five years

No-one voted for that

Its the only way the Lib Dem's get to wield any power
Didn't they form a similar pact with Labour in the 70s

[Deleted]

AV will indeed give the Lib/Dems a better chance to has some influence, but I don't think it matters.
The way Cleggs behaved and all the 'U' turns he's preformed, how many people are going to ever trust or vote for the Lib/Dems again,
I certainly won't be.

[Deleted]

The key thing about the whole AV reform is that people who have a vote are represented in a fair manner by those they have choosen not someone else. As things stand with the First Past The Post system a huge section of the electorate are not actually represented by the party they have voted for, hence most Governments have a majority in name only. We may not like the coalition, however it's far more preferable to a marginal majority say like the Tories dictating Policy and spending etc. to an electorate where a huge section did not even vote for them. Three party politics is no longer viable in my view as it's just open to abuse with no continuity nor consistency. All that happens is like with the Labour Party now just washing their hands of the mess they made of things as if they had no part in it. It's this complete lack of accountability which bugs the hell out of me. I also believe it will be far more straight forward to put pressure on Lib Dems to make changes or curb extreme moves by Cameron than your average Tory MP.

Shads believe it or not any Government can be in power for five years. It's all matter of how they are doing which determines whether they actually do stay that long. It's why we have local elections as Party majorities are generally reduced over time as the electorate makes it's views known. Hence the Governing Party are forced to seek re-election.

Although there have been notable exceptions to that.............the thing is though with FPtP the same lot can be voted in for a considerable amount of time..................e.g. Thatcher and Blair!

Those who did not vote for them then have to live with it!

CWL

[Ann1]

I'm still unsure TBH! What worries me is that a minority party like the BNP could get in under AV. I remember the Mayoral elections here, and there was a kerfuffle about the voting. I'm not quite sure what happened, but John Harrison got in, although Linda Arkley got the most votes, this was under AV. It was something like that anyway. This is where we could do with Supergob, he's know exactly what happened ;D The PR dept is not very good mind, I've yet to meet anyone who knows how it works!!!

[Deleted]

Ann, difficult for me to comment as I don't know of the people you refer to although I find it strange under an AV system that the person who achieved the most votes submitted by everyone was not elected. Remember AV is not all about first choice..............

As for a minority partry like the BNP getting into power that would only happen should sufficient votes be cast in their direction by all of the electorate. Can you honestly see that happening as I am unable too.

CWL

[Ann1]

TBH, I cannot see the point in voting for someone you don't want though!!!! I will never vote Conservative, so can't see the point in putting a cross next to their name!! No, I think I'll vote against, unless someone can explain to me exactly how it would benefit the electorate. All I can see is a lot of hassle for very little return!!

[Jazz]

Could it not be that people could start using this as a "protest" vote against both the major parties & we could end up with one of the minority parties. I certainly think this may happen in some inner city areas with social problems. Could that be a "good thing"? Possibly. I think if this goes through, a "Yes" vote, we will see parties like UKIP, English Democrats and maybe the "Greens" having more of a say in politics. The BNP, of course are another that may benefit....God help us!

[Banshee]

The point about AV is that there is more liklihood of your preference getting a large amount of the vote and therefore a better chance of getting in. For instance- I always vote with my heart rather than use tactical voting, even tho I know that my first preference hasnt a chance in hell. However I still want to be able to live with my own ideals, and not bring myself to vote for a second choice party. I always voted Respect or the Socialist Labour party (as apposed to the New Labour)
Under AV I can still vote for my first choice but given that they may never make it in, my stand-by choice will be part of an 'alternative vote' as like a contingency plan for if my first choice doesnt make it. My views are still counted.
With you being able to put a few choices down in order of preference, then your views are heard more. In the event of no candidate getting more than half the votes. Then the number 2 preferences are added to the original count. Thus giving our first choice and our contingency choice a chance.
Simples really, and surely as simple as the offside rule, and like the OSR- Its only complicated if you beleive it is.

[Jazz]

AV for me then, Bansh! I remember voting several times for "The Workers Revolutionary Party", Vanessa Redgrave's party but it got me nowhere! Never mind! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Banshee]

Apr 3, 2011 20:02:46 GMT 1 Jazz said:

AV for me then, Bansh! I remember voting several times for "The Workers Revolutionary Party", Vanessa Redgrave's party but it got me nowhere! Never mind! ;D ;D ;D ;D

It might have got you nowhere, Jazz, but bet you could live with yourself and sleep nights, knowing you did the right thing hey? Thats all that matters. Stand by your values, and keep the red flag flying.

[Deleted]

Apr 3, 2011 15:33:08 GMT 1 Ann1 said:

TBH, I cannot see the point in voting for someone you don't want though!!!! I will never vote Conservative, so can't see the point in putting a cross next to their name!! No, I think I'll vote against, unless someone can explain to me exactly how it would benefit the electorate. All I can see is a lot of hassle for very little return!!

Ann, that's the point of AV no one is asking or forcing you to vote for anyone you don't wish to have elected. The major difference is that several of your choices could have a chance of being put into power whereas under FPtP they have no chance!

I also get the impression you are viewing AV purely from the current three party politics system which has governed this country for generations. AV should if introduced open up a whole different approach to the way politicians are selected and governments formed in this country.

CWL