AV

[Luther_Hull]

I'd post this in the Cigar Lounge but I don't have the patience to reword everything I say three times.

Anyway, who's voting for this bad boy?

 

[Lee]

I am, definitely a yes though I'd prefer AV+

 

[Uncle Sam]

Well, yes, obviously.

 

[Uncle Sam]

For the non-Britons and, let's face it, the majority of Britons, AV stands for Alternative Vote, an electoral system. Luther is referencing the upcoming referendum (we hope) on whether to switch from our downright ******ed First Past The Post system to the somewhat less ******ed Alternative Vote system.

 

[Daniel]

If I could vote for it, I would. It's my preferred system apart from AV+ and AMS.

The problem is, every system has flaws. The flaws in FPTP are huge. But so are the flaws in PR. Neither extreme is good. AV, AV+ and AMS are the most proportional systems which still retain the vital constituency/representative link (somewhat for AMS).

 

[Uncle Sam]

I question how vital that link is. Ministers in particular could not give a fuck about their constituencies. Local issues are the concern of local councils, not MPs.

 

[Daniel]

Vital was perhaps the wrong word to use, important is better. On a basic level, single-member consituencies make people feel better. As for ministers, you're right. But even Nick Clegg comes to Sheffield to do his surgery once a week. So for the 600+ backbenchers, the constituency link is a close one.

Local issues aren't completely the concern of local councils as they are pretty much controlled by Westminster. Look at the cuts to council budgets, for example.

 

[Uncle Sam]

True enough, though I still feel its importance is greatly exaggerated. And while we're on the subject, what's the deal with the House of Lords?

 

[HBK-aholic]

Loving the 'it's going to make voting complicated' argument. If you can't figure out that you write in a number next to a few names, I'm glad you won't be able to vote.

 

[Daniel]

True enough, though I still feel its importance is greatly exaggerated. And while we're on the subject, what's the deal with the House of Lords?

I absolutely see where you're coming from. As for the House of Lords, I have no idea where they are. It's in the coalition agreement to make it fully elected, but whether it will be carried out is another question. Labour had the same idea in '97 but then realised it could help them.

Loving the 'it's going to make voting complicated' argument. If you can't figure out that you write in a number next to a few names, I'm glad you won't be able to vote.

So true. Also, the 'it will bring an end to strong governments' argument is funny. It would hold more weight if the way the 'strong governments' were elected was democratic.

 

[Lee]

I question how vital that link is. Ministers in particular could not give a fuck about their constituencies. Local issues are the concern of local councils, not MPs.

D Milliband every weekend tells us on twitter how he's doing something like taking his son to an arsenal game.

He's MP of South Shields ffs. A trip to the beach could do you the world of good!

 

[Tastycles]

There's absolutely no way a Tory government is going to make changes that pretty much guarantee them less seats for the rest of time. If it does pass, all that will happen is that the'll redraw all the boundaries so the status quo remains the same. For example, Liverpool South will now incorporate Surrey.