http://www.independent.co.uk/
At May's general election, according to the campaigners' report, it took only 26,858 votes to elect a Labour MP, 44,241 to elect a Tory and 98,484 to vote in a Liberal Democrat. Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of the population did not vote for the present Government and on the results for just England, 60,000 more people voted for the Conservative Party than the Labour Party yet Labour won 92 more seats and was chosen to represent the people.
So what do you reckon, after TB goes do you will we get fairer elections?
MP's urged to end first past the post elections
MP's urged to end first past the post elections
GMC it's like asking turkeys to vote for christmas, they know damn well that half of them would lose their seats. However unfair forst past the post is I guess it's better than some of the coalition type govermnets which is what we would end up with.
"I have done my duty. I thank God for it!"
MP's urged to end first past the post elections
posted by bothwell
GMC it's like asking turkeys to vote for christmas, they know damn well that half of them would lose their seats. However unfair forst past the post is I guess it's better than some of the coalition type govermnets which is what we would end up with.
Maybe the tories might see the point after eight years of TB. In scotland they are all in favour of PR as it is the only way they can get any MSP's elected. Britain has always done well out of coalition governments we need something to keep nutters like Tony in check apart from a lot of spineless hamgers on.
GMC it's like asking turkeys to vote for christmas, they know damn well that half of them would lose their seats. However unfair forst past the post is I guess it's better than some of the coalition type govermnets which is what we would end up with.
Maybe the tories might see the point after eight years of TB. In scotland they are all in favour of PR as it is the only way they can get any MSP's elected. Britain has always done well out of coalition governments we need something to keep nutters like Tony in check apart from a lot of spineless hamgers on.
MP's urged to end first past the post elections
We have PR in the Republic and it works fairly well, though there are a few drawbacks as always. Though Ireland and Britain are very different in terms of their politics, populations, constitutions etc etc, so I don't think our system would be suitable, but I'm sure it would be possible to develop one for Britain that was a bit more equitable than the current one. I think it would probably be good for British politics at this stage as people seem to want a more consensus style of politics now. That said, I would be very surprised if Labour would go for it any time soon. It is a bit of the turkeys voting for christmas argument. You could always just do an X-Factor style contest, though the tories are not really very good singers so they might not be into it.
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
MP's urged to end first past the post elections
Far try this, it's the government site but nonetheless it's pretty good, any further questions you have I am sure us Brits could help out, if it's any consolation i am still trying to understand the Iowa Caucus, primaries etc
www.direct.gov.uk/Gtgl1/GuideToGovernme ... ment/fs/en
www.direct.gov.uk/Gtgl1/GuideToGovernme ... ment/fs/en
"I have done my duty. I thank God for it!"
MP's urged to end first past the post elections
There will be a quiz in the morning:D
"I have done my duty. I thank God for it!"
MP's urged to end first past the post elections
posted by arnold layne
The problem is how do you obtain PR. Those politicians we have , favour the first past the post system cos that is how they were successful and if they voted for PR they would lose the systeem that got them in . Catch 22 in a way.
That's the problem isn't it. I'm kind of hoping that the experience of the last few years with such an unsupported administration as TB's might exercise people's conscience a bit and lead to change. The tories have accepted it up until now because it benefits them as well-see Thatcher. The last bit if gerrymandering really swung things very much in favour of labour-far be it for me to suggest it was deliberate.
posted by Arnold Layne
I think, more importantly, we need to find a way of encouraging people to use their vote ,instead of them thinking their vote, on its own, doesnt matter. It matters very much and todays politicians prey on this. We should be more demanding of our politicians , they are supposed to be our servants yet we allow them to run rough shod over us regardless of what we want. How many politicians are there because they think they can make a difference to peoples lives and how many people are there cos its a good screw ?
Catch 22 again, people don't vote because the same people get in again despite the fact nobody supports them
posted by Arnold Layne
On the other hand while the Greens and Liberals would benefit, so would the fringe, such as the BNP and far left Marxist/Trotsky loonies.
When they get in it tends to be as a protest vote, whether they would make any leeway is a moot point. Personally I would like to see the Monster raving loony party get an MP.
We have PR in Scotland, without it it would be all labour. As it is they are all secret members of the numpty party masquerading as thinking, honest human beings. For a nation of educated, opinionated, politically aware citizens we have a real talent for electing dross.
I have a soft spot for all poiticians, it's a deep bog away up in the north West of scotland.
The problem is how do you obtain PR. Those politicians we have , favour the first past the post system cos that is how they were successful and if they voted for PR they would lose the systeem that got them in . Catch 22 in a way.
That's the problem isn't it. I'm kind of hoping that the experience of the last few years with such an unsupported administration as TB's might exercise people's conscience a bit and lead to change. The tories have accepted it up until now because it benefits them as well-see Thatcher. The last bit if gerrymandering really swung things very much in favour of labour-far be it for me to suggest it was deliberate.
posted by Arnold Layne
I think, more importantly, we need to find a way of encouraging people to use their vote ,instead of them thinking their vote, on its own, doesnt matter. It matters very much and todays politicians prey on this. We should be more demanding of our politicians , they are supposed to be our servants yet we allow them to run rough shod over us regardless of what we want. How many politicians are there because they think they can make a difference to peoples lives and how many people are there cos its a good screw ?
Catch 22 again, people don't vote because the same people get in again despite the fact nobody supports them
posted by Arnold Layne
On the other hand while the Greens and Liberals would benefit, so would the fringe, such as the BNP and far left Marxist/Trotsky loonies.
When they get in it tends to be as a protest vote, whether they would make any leeway is a moot point. Personally I would like to see the Monster raving loony party get an MP.
We have PR in Scotland, without it it would be all labour. As it is they are all secret members of the numpty party masquerading as thinking, honest human beings. For a nation of educated, opinionated, politically aware citizens we have a real talent for electing dross.
I have a soft spot for all poiticians, it's a deep bog away up in the north West of scotland.