Before jumping into bed with the Lib-Dems and promising electoral reform in an effort to remain in Downing Street, Brown needs to talk to his mate in Canberra, one Rt. Hon. K. Rudd MP.
Australia uses a simple STV system and the Australian Labor (they can’t spell) Party has been trying to undermine it for years. Brown should ask why.
STV isn’t perfect – what system is? – but it allows electors to cast a vote against the candidate they dislike the most.
In a division with a large number of candidates, FPTP enables a widely despised candidate to make it across the line. At least STV minimises the chances of electing the most loathed nominee.
STV alone isn’t bad and doesn’t necessarily lead to continuous minority governments of any flavour: witness Australia, which rarely suffers them.
However, there are some dreadful variants on the system – and Britain doesn’t need any of them – witness the Hare-Clark (as used in Tasmania for State Elections) or Multi-Member Proportional Representation (as used in New Zealand).
Whatever your political persuasion, you can guarantee Hare-Clark or MMPR will deliver a government you hate more than the one you have. Imagine Labour being forced to work with the BNP and you have the picture. Let’s not go down this road.
