Comment on Proportional Representation : The Single Transferable Vote by JimBo.

Harry,

I on the other hand, understand the basis of our parliamentary system – it is parliamentary representation. Let me explain.

When I cast my vote, I was NOT voting for PM or for the whole nation – I was voting for a local representative. The representative with the largest bloc of support wins (“simples!”).

It is the makeup & expressed will of PARLIAMENT that decides the Prime minister (subject of course, to the invitation of the Monarch).

There have been several times in the last 100 years that parliamentary parties have been split in who they chose to support during a parliament. David Lloyd George for example, at one time lost many of his liberal colleagues to opposition, but enjoyed wide support amongst conservatives (who have also split in the past, as have Labour – even to this day there is still Socialist Labour & another small Labour “flavour” out there).

It is only because in the post-war period, the big parties have held together in large part, that we are lulled into thinking that a vote for a local candidate wearing a particular badge is anything more than a vote for him or her. The electorate has little or NO CONTROL over a supposed monolithic national party; all you & I can hold to account is our MP. If we don’t like the way they act in parliament, we vote them out at the next election!!!

Our present FTTP system means there is a clear representative mandate that allows any number of candidates to put up in every constituency of our land. It also allows voters the freedom to be engaged, apathetic, or even tactical(!). It has been pointed out elsewhere that if the non-voters all voted, there would be no safe seats at all!

But more importantly, under this system a parliamentarian is free, and can in theory drop the party whip & support whoever (s)he pleases – as long as he remembers he is “being framed” if he does something stupid, & will have to face his electorate again!

End the tinkering talk, & let’s finish up House of Lord’s reform instead.

More Comments on Proportional Representation : The Single Transferable Vote by JimBo


Proportional Representation : The Single Transferable Vote

David,

As I am completely against all that the BNP stand for, I would deeply regret them ever assuming a significant role in British politics or government.

It is in fact, one …


Proportional Representation : The Single Transferable Vote

David,

Your hatred of the Tories is pathological.

I could understand it if Thatcher or an extreme monetarist were standing. “Dry” Toryism can often, er, how do you put it, screw …


Proportional Representation : The Single Transferable Vote

This viewpoint smacks of arrogance.

Who decides who an extremist is?

If people vote for a candidate, they get to be represented by that candidate by a variety of mechanisms. One is …


Proportional Representation : The Single Transferable Vote

David,

It is you who does not understand PR.

Many Alternative Voting systems are commonly miscalled PR, but as you yourself admit, do not yield statistically proportional results, hence are not rationally …


Proportional Representation : The Single Transferable Vote

This is no “PR, it reads like Prof. Gerry Mander’s diary!!!

Why, oh why, do you want “proportionality”, but only to benefit a party the strength of the LibDems?

What a way …


More Comments by JimBo


Conservatives Win the 2010 General Election

D M Evans,

You are the 1st person to put this snippet from Lady T in its proper context; magnificent clarification.

I will never misuse that quote again. You have genuinely educated …


Is the National Minimum Wage Safe Under a Conservative Government Poll?

Rachel,

You seemed to recognise Adolf Hitler rather quickly;

Is he your uncle? …


Election 2010 George Osborne Chancellor of the Exchequer

Ian,

Oh I see.

I’m sorry for your loss.

Why not give these guys a bit of time, after all this is the risk with hung parliaments.

Give politicians enough closed doors, anyone can …


Election 2010 George Osborne Chancellor of the Exchequer

Ian,

You are beginning to sound like Nigel Farage.

Are you a member of UKIP? …


Election 2010 Prime Minister David Cameron

BTW,

Labour did not outlaw fox hunting.

It still happens under licence.

Your point being? …