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Original poster

AV no campaign

34 replies

throckenholt · 19/04/2011 08:44

I am the only one who is annoyed by the blatant propaganda of the AV no campaign. We have had two leaflets through the door in the last few days that are full of misrepresentations and negative spin.

The impression is that AV is hopelessly unfair, incredibly complicated and will undermine life in the UK. And it is all a personal ego trip of Nick Clegg (who is currently to blame for all the UK's ills). I may be paraphrasing but that is definitely how it reads.

I am not particularly keen on AV per se (only marginally better than our current system) - but I am appalled by the tone of the current campaign. It really is smear politics at its worst and I don't think it does anything to raise the tone of politics and encourage people to want to be part of it. Any politician that signs up to that campaign should be ashamed of themselves.

I haven't yet seen any pro campaign literature so can't comment on that.

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Original poster
throckenholt · 19/04/2011 11:20

I'm amazed that you're amazed that political literature aimed at persuading people to an argument is 'blatant propaganda'. Like every other election leaflet that emerges it's wholly one-sided in favour of a point of view.... no-one won a straight yes/no contest by being even-handed or seeking consensus.

true - but this struck me as even more so than normal.

Oddly enough, the arguments being used by both sides are very similar.

maybe that is because there really isn't much difference between the two systems ?!

there will be arguments that it isn't a popular mandate for action.

that is bound to happen :)

I am bored rigid with it and I actually care - so god knows how those who don't care feel about it.

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Chil1234 · 19/04/2011 10:57

I'm amazed that you're amazed that political literature aimed at persuading people to an argument is 'blatant propaganda'. :) Like every other election leaflet that emerges it's wholly one-sided in favour of a point of view.... no-one won a straight yes/no contest by being even-handed or seeking consensus.

Oddly enough, the arguments being used by both sides are very similar. So when you read a 'Yes' campaign leaflet be prepared to be told again that FPTP is 'unfair' and 'undermines democracy'. And it will be equally partisan and alarmist, that is assured.

I think the whole referendum process is jeopardised by the fact that there will be a low turn-out in key areas - notably London where there are no council elections. The polls say that there is a very slight lead (1%) for the 'yes' vote at the moment and, if the result really is that close on a poor turnout I think there will be arguments that it isn't a popular mandate for action.

Original poster
throckenholt · 19/04/2011 10:38

We tried AV with the kids yesterday (admitedly it doesn't work very well with only 5 voters) - we had 5 options. We established that the first round was exactly the same as first past the post - and they howled with indignation about who won. Then we went on with the AV until more one had more than half the votes - and they were reasonably happy that they had got something they were reasonably happy with.

And they understood the process very easily. They are 8 and 9. So surely it isn't as complicated as the no campaign is trying to make out.

My kids must be odd though - because they immediately wanted to vote on other things - we had to damp down their enthusiasm because we (the adults) were bored and you really can't run elections very well with only 3 (fists and tears tend to become involved rather too quickly). :)

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Original poster
throckenholt · 19/04/2011 10:33

Not sure it is easy to find any unbiased info about it.

I think it is sad that many of those who will actually vote will just use it as a way to kick clegg, rather than considering what they are actually voting on.

Having it on the same day as other elections is a mistake - but I guess they though apathy would mean no-one would vote if it was on another day. And it would cost too much to have all the polling stations open again.

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Iggly · 19/04/2011 09:39

I'm ignoring any literature and looking myself for information.

I don't think AV is the best alternative, but I'm voting yes because it would give the current establishment a kick in the balls to sort out the madness (provided enough voted yes). I suspect, however, that even if there were a substantial number of yes votes, but the "no" won, it would be quietly ignored.

Original poster
throckenholt · 19/04/2011 09:38

ah - would you like my no stuff then ? - I would be happy to pass it on to any unfortunate who has missed out.

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usualsuspect · 19/04/2011 09:35

I've only had YES literature

Original poster
throckenholt · 19/04/2011 09:35

maybe because I started with I am rather than Am I - must learn to proof read :)

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Original poster
throckenholt · 19/04/2011 09:34

it is just me then.

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