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AV or not ?

334 replies

theoldbrigade · 20/04/2011 19:00

Thoughts please.

OP posts:
WinkyWinkola · 05/05/2011 09:43

Well, even if the YES vote wins (which it won't), the Tories will find some way not to implement AV. They can't afford to let a truly representative democracy emerge, even bit by bit because that would mean they would rarely be, if ever, in power again.

GiddyPickle · 05/05/2011 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DuelingFanjo · 05/05/2011 10:39

Are we the only country in the entire European Union that chooses MPs with a FPTP system?

bagpusss · 05/05/2011 10:39

Yes to AV, if only to get the inertia out of the electoral system. Of course AV is far from ideal in terms of electoral reform, but still, get those politicians thinking about it!

DuelingFanjo · 05/05/2011 10:46

ok, I have changed my mind to yes after reading this unless someone can pick holes in it?

sieglinde · 05/05/2011 10:52

Giddy, I don't think there's ANY evidence that Australia wants to get rid of AV. Nimpy et al, think this makes little sense. Everyone's vote only gets counted ONCE in the final total. I lived in Oz for many years, and an unpopular fringe party - Pauline Hansen - was EASILY seen off. Anyway, Nick Griffin likes FPTP....

trouble2plus2 · 05/05/2011 11:20

What we all want from voting is a system that elects a non-corrupt, selfless candidate who most of us are happy(ish) with, and a body of MPs that more or less reflects the people of the country we live in. What the issue is, is that the candidates themselves are not always of this demographic, and it produces a body of MPs which is not representative of society (this is obvious in the gender balance alone, and dont get me started on the class thing).

However, unless an AV system encourages more representative and selfless people to put themselves up a candidate, then I dont see how this issue is resolved. I don't see the point in spending money and confusing the electorate to just get the same, or broadly same, result.

On the other hand, I dont want this opportunity to tell government that we want change, no matter how little, to pass me by. The question is whether its worth changing an established, well-understood method just to 'sock it to the tories' - as much as I would love to, I'm still not convinced by the entire 'Yes' argument.

Today, I might just stay at home and play with my babies - much more interesting..........

Tw1nkle · 05/05/2011 11:28

IF AV gets accepted:
Do we know how the results will be published?
Will we see how many people voted for the least popular etc?
Or will we just be told the result?
I'd find it really interesting to see how it was worked out each election (i'm like that!!)
Thanks.

GiddyPickle · 05/05/2011 11:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Paul88 · 05/05/2011 12:39

Yes we are the only country in Europe that uses FPTP. Lots of african nations use it, Canada, India, Malaysia, Mexico - that is about it.

Giddy - that is one poll, taken at a time when a lot of Australians were very unhappy with their current government. If you look at more recent news you will see they are amazed at the way that they are being represented as anti AV.

pinkytheshrinky · 05/05/2011 12:54

yes absolutely YES

interregnum · 05/05/2011 13:03

Giddy: the real truth about AV in Australia

blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2011/04/frederick-forsyth-repeats-rubbish-australia-not-about-to-abandon-av.html#more

interregnum · 05/05/2011 13:05

Giddy: the real truth about AV in Australia

blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2011/04/frederick-forsyth-repeats-rubbish-australia-not-about-to-abandon-av.html#more

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 05/05/2011 13:09

whatever you do, you should vote, even if you abstain on the form.

aliceliddell · 05/05/2011 13:26

Daily Mail, david Cameron, Peter stringfellow, Nick Griffin all say no. Does this tell us nothing?

mummymeister · 05/05/2011 13:38

I am voting No. In my area the choice of candidates standing means that once i have ticked my choice from the main 2 standing (no lab. candidate here ever!) then the rest are from fringe parties and i would end up either ticking the one or ranking parties that i don't particularly like or want like the BNP or UKIP. The real problem with democracy is so many people moan about the Govt yet so few bother to vote. We have tried making it discretionary, now it should be compulsory then the FPTP system would be truly representative and work. The issue of not voting is getting worse not better. It comes to something when more people think BGT and other TV shows are more important than how your taxes are spent. Perhaps i am just getting old and intolerant!

VoteAV · 05/05/2011 13:44

YES

Ba8y1 · 05/05/2011 13:45

NO Absolutely NO.
I believe in democracy.

VoteAV · 05/05/2011 13:46

sigh Hmm

LuckyWeKeptTheCot · 05/05/2011 13:52

Why does Nick Griffin support FPTP? Surely he'd have more chance with AV? He is completely delusional though...

LuckyWeKeptTheCot · 05/05/2011 13:55

Have a friend who has finished counting the postal votes (in rural area) and almost all are NO. He is voting YES but not with much hope.

VoteAV · 05/05/2011 13:58

oh arse

dawntigga · 05/05/2011 14:06

Yes, an no to AV says to those that want to keep the status quo that we are happy with the current system.

WillBeVotingLaterTiggaxx

Swedes2 · 05/05/2011 14:06

I have yet to vote and I'm confused.

The C4 Factcheck thing said it was fact that LibDems would benefit under AV as they are a centrist party and likely to hoover up votes from both of the main parties yet they also say it would not lead to more coalition government situations.

I'm also horrified that those voting NO are being called 'the Thicko Vote' by the YES campaign. This makes me want to vote NO, actually.

dawntigga · 05/05/2011 14:12

That of course should be a no not an no!

GahGoingBackToCollegeWorkTiggaxx