I find my self in the uncomfortable position of agreeing with Ed Miliband - a man whom I despise and would never vote for if my life depended on it!
In an article in the Guardian which you can read here, the Mighty Milipede argues that a vote for AV is a change in the right direction. He says :
The fact is that the present system is flawed. True, AV is also flawed but it is a better system and maintains the link between the MP and the constituency which full PR would destroy.AV offers an opportunity for political reform, ensuring the voice of the public is heard louder than it has been in the past. And given the standing of politics that is an opportunity we should take. It is a system that combines the direct representation of first-past-the-post with one that will make the votes of more people count.
I believe that if we combined it with compulsory voting with a positive abstention as is the way in Australia, then we would have a considerably better system of electing our MPs.
That's a fight for another day, but at least a 'Yes' vote for AV would be a good first step.
5 comments:
I'm afraid I've got to disagree. Making voting compulsory would just force you to vote for a party, even if none of them appealed to you. It's basically a way of propping up failing political parties at a time when we desperately need new ones.
That's why it has to be accompanied by the box that says 'No suitable candidate'
The other method is called spoiling your ballot paper (much more fun). I also find myself agreeing with Milliband. (I have already booked an appointment with a trauma councillor) Perhap I have not been drinking enough metaxa recently.
From Australia. Compulsory Voting is a misnomer and a myth perpetuated by the Electoral commission in their advertising in the lead up to our elections.
I have had it explained that everyone has a right to vote if they meet certain eligibility criteria and have registered to vote. The compulsory part is really an acknowledgement that I have exercised my right to vote. This simply entails getting my name marked on the electoral roll and being given the voting papers. There are other ways to exercise your right to vote other than attend a voting booth. Now that I have the voting papers I can vote properly, vote for all or none of the candidates, throw the papers in the bin or write appropriate comments across the paper since our politicians seem to have evolved from the same genepool as yours.
I think its a loss that we don't have the opportunity to express our opinions on the politicians and parties, making the election like a report on their performance, as if the bastards would take any notice.
Personally, I like the idea of all politicians being unable to serve more than two terms to stop the inbreeding, professional politicians, and access to a range of perks they think they are entitled to.
Whenever you find yourself in agreement with a complete tosser like Miliband, especially the monkey that is Ed, you know it's time to go to bed.
No more drugs for this man.
No to AV. No to PR. No to 'democracy'.
Yes to true monarchy.
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