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Should we adopt PR (proportional representation) in the UK? What are the reasons as to why we should or should not adopt such a system? Also thoughts on how likely this is given our electoral results.
For the record I support PR as our current system disenfranchises the majority of the electorate. In my opinion a goverment does not have a mandate on little over a third of the vote
Yes, for the reasons you state. First Past the Post only works where there are just two parties. As this election has shown, it is dysfunctional in a 3+ party system.
When the liberal democrats get 23% of the vote (their highest amount yet) but end up losing seats, and 200 less MPs than labour something has got to be wrong.
The constituencies are a farce, and I should be able to vote for different people at different levels of government, including being able to directly appoint the PM.
When the liberal democrats get 23% of the vote (their highest amount yet) but end up losing seats, and 200 less MPs than labour something has got to be wrong.
The constituencies are a farce, and I should be able to vote for different people at different levels of government, including being able to directly appoint the PM.
The Lib Dems need to show that they are not to be trifled with, for example with tactical voting they could have easily kept the Labour party in power.
So they need to point out to the other parties, no PR, we will decide which party out of the Conservatives or Labour we will put into power.
I notice where the Lib Dems came third in seats they often had than enough votes to choose which party would hold the seat.
From this distance the Lib Dems have been too nice, they need to do a touch of head kicking with their votes to get what they want, PR.
Their performance in the election shows what a difference it can make having a more charismatic leader, but a lack of clear direction cost them dearly.
IMHO, the general election should contain two votes, one for your local MP, and one for who you want to run the country.
If your local Conservative offers a good deal for your constituency, then you can vote for them, but, if you think Labour would be better to run the country as a whole, then you can cast your second vote for them.
The only reason I would not support some form of PR is if constituencies were abolished, one of the only things I think works about FPTP.
The alternative member/mixed member system (used in Wales and Scotland) overcomes the constituency problem. Its not 100% representational, maybe 98% as it tends to be 2 or 3 seats out in the percentage of seats allocated to each party, but its the best compromise i've seen.
Last edited by archineer; 05-10-2010 at 11:29 AM..
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