Today I....

You would have to have a very large vote for this 'silly' party for that to be in any way likely, though yes. it is possible. However I pretty much reject your idea that there is a sensible/silly other dichotomy, and though M.R.L.P. is pretty much the only example really that is still a party of protest over the nature of politics, and I see absolutely no problem with M.R.L.P. supporters influencing an election 'pwoppa'.

And, like Yith's example I just checked mine, and that would be a razor wire finish, most likely counting the second votes of all those who came below second, not just those in the final place (English Democrats in this case).

Oh... and don't forget our AV would be the optional vote AV. This means that anyone silly enough to vote MRLP may have not voted for anyone sensible anyway and so after all of the silly parties they voted for have be knocked out their vote wouldn't count at all.

As a matter of interest - I imagine that since a mechanical/electronic voting system is specifically shunned then actual voter's choices across the country (1, 2, 3) would never be known - even in those constituencies where votes were redistributed only those redistributions would be known.

As for the end of tactical voting - well, that is exactly what AV is. Your second choice or even your first choice can still be tactical. Say, incumbent is Labour 45%, LibDem are the strongest contenderat 35%. You are a Conservative voter with a likely vote of 10%. And there is a strong Green (who you loath) who might well poll 10%. You could vote LiDem 1, Conservative 2. Or vote Conservative 1, LibDem 2. One is tactical first round, the other is tactical second round.

You would have to have a very large vote for this 'silly' party for that to be in any way likely, though yes. it is possible.

No, a very small vote for silly (or worse) parties makes this possible - the least popular votes are recounted on second choice (if there is one). You can be a numpty and vote for who you wish but I don't see why you should have a second 'go'.

I think for me the big plus of AV is that it is a step nearer towards proper PR, and proper PR means weaker central government, no more 'landslides' on 35% of the vote and fewer radical policies pursued with little/no popular mandate.

Yes it is a compromise and yes it is supported by Nick Clegg, but how many other chances in our lifetimes will we get to change the voting system?

Well, we shall see, although I suspect it is a lost cause already as too many people want to poke Mr Clegg in the eye, as he put it.

Cheers
Martin

Well, we shall see, although I suspect it is a lost cause already as too many people want to poke Mr Clegg in the eye, as he put it.

You are right, political commentary is concentrated on personalities and coalition 'split' stories - not the fundamental issues. I'm at a loss to understand why pundits try to see battles all the time - that's why as a 'free thinker' I had (and have) high hopes for the present coalition and a period of 'working together' to get shit sorted. Bugger party politics, what about my country?

Personally I'd rather poke Cameron in the eye rather than Clegg any day...

Yeah a "no" vote will almost certainly kick out any chance of PR in the future.

Also, I've yet to find any good argument for NO2AV apart from that AV would probably screw up the Conservatives and BNP, so if you're a major supporter of either of those then go ahead and vote NO. If you like any other party, then you'd probably be better off with AV.

The Conservatives and BNP know this, hence why they're pushing for a NO vote.

Oh and I'm 100% voting "yes"...

Someone I know just put this on Facebook:

Unless you think that specifically 'No' is the right answer, and that the stautus quo is the situation that you believe is the best for you and your country, voting 'Yes' is the *only* way to maintain any momentum at all for corrective change.

Meanwhile back in 1940 they didn't have any of this to worry about just the Nazis .........

Meanwhile back in 1940 they didn't have any of this to worry about just the Nazis .........

Not to mention Chamberlain's resignation in May 1940.....

and a consequent 'weak government coalition' to deal with the problem.

I suspect Cad is saying 'get off our list of purchases thread'

That's the other thread... and the forum owner started this with non WWII talk anyway!

It's all CW's fault!! As it will be if we don't get AV or PR...

It's all CW's fault!! As it will be if we don't get AV or PR...

It won't be entirely his fault...

Well, they used an AV system (requiring absolute majority) in 1932 Germany and an independent won by political manoeuvring to keep out Hitler. Worked for a bit but political stalemate let Hitler take power...
I think the most persuasive argument FOR AV is that it will force politicians to engage more with the WHOLE electorate, not just concentrate on the die-in-the-wool.

Anyway, today I ... will pack away the last bits of kit remaining from the long bank holiday weekend of WW2 reenacting.

and a consequent 'weak government coalition' to deal with the problem.

I suspect Cad is saying 'get off our list of purchases thread'

Yep, no offence meant but like all political discussions it goes on way too long, nothing is agreed and it's only interesting to a few

Cad

and a consequent 'weak government coalition' to deal with the problem.

I suspect Cad is saying 'get off our list of purchases thread'

Yep, no offence meant but like all political discussions it goes on way too long, nothing is agreed and it's only interesting to a few

Cad

heh, given the amount of tedium I have to gloss over in the gunz section, one day a year is not too much to ask for.

Heh, my interest in this is actually more mathematical than political to be honest.

AV just seems fairer and means far more people's votes count, which should increase the interest in the whole thing as voters have got more of a buy in.

Heh, my interest in this is actually more mathematical than political to be honest.

I don't think there's a thing in the world that isn't linked with politics.

Anyone who says they don't do politics are lying.

Anyone who doesn't vote then complains about the state of the country is just stupid.

Anyone who complains that they don't vote "because there's no point, they're all the same" but who then doesn't engage in a referendum on political reform can just go fup themselves....

Anyone who doesn't vote then complains about the state of the country is just stupid.

Or more precisely an 'Idiote'