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Original poster

The economy is more important than proportional representation

27 replies

longfingernailspaintedblue · 07/05/2010 17:52

Don't you think?

OP posts:
veselaliberalka · 07/05/2010 17:52

I think they're both important.

veselaliberalka · 07/05/2010 17:55

Is there any reason we can't tackle economic issues and have a referendum on PR?

Original poster
longfingernailspaintedblue · 07/05/2010 17:55

On PR, I wouldn't mind it at all for the Lords - in fact, it would probably be a very good idea.

In the Commons though, the constituency link is just too important. The ability to have a single MP for a relatively small patch.

The mega-constituencies under STV sound horrific.

Nevertheless, either way, the economy is much much more important than arcane details of the voting system.

OP posts:
Original poster
longfingernailspaintedblue · 07/05/2010 17:56

My point is that the Lib Dems would be very foolish to make PR their Waterloo.

Much better to make their income tax policy their main negotiating tool - especially as most Tories agree entirely with it.

OP posts:
HumphreyCobbler · 07/05/2010 17:58

thing is Lib Dems will be even more determined to get PR after what happened to them this time

it is heartbreaking for them (am not a supporter)

I do agree with the OP

HerBeatitude · 07/05/2010 17:59

Totally disagree.

The way we are governed is the most important issue in a democracy.

ScreaminEagle · 07/05/2010 18:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

JimJammum · 07/05/2010 18:02

It's just that PR would mean the LibDems have so much more chance to get in, and then make a difference to the economy etc etc (when they were fighting for this prior to the election). And of course, the way that the voting share has worked out has shown their case wonderfully. How much will Clegg be hounded for backing down over key points if he ignores this in a coalition (sp?) deal esp as they have been vocal in their desire to change things and have fair politics during the campaign. It's tough to compromise without being seen by critics as "backing down" in the face of Tories demands.

MrsJohnDeere · 07/05/2010 18:03

Strongly agree OP.

None of the parties really addressed this imho.

posieparker · 07/05/2010 18:04

If we get PR then the Lib Dems can do the good stuff....I think how we interpret and run our democracy is vital.

bloss · 07/05/2010 18:04

Message withdrawn

LaurieFecktheToriesCake · 07/05/2010 18:07

No, the economy as a political football is not more important than PR as the parties (given the result) are not that different in immediate policy.

In longer term policy their policies on economics would be very different.

Whereas PR is incredibly important for democracy and will help us move towards a centre-left country.

HumphreyCobbler · 07/05/2010 18:08

yes, even if we are not inclined that way

HumphreyCobbler · 07/05/2010 18:09

it is not about the economy as a political football, it is about sorting out the mess.

We do live in a democracy at the moment, it might not be your favoured system but it isn't a dictatorship ffs

veselaliberalka · 07/05/2010 18:10

No party would form a coalition with BNP MPs, though. They haven't formed part of any council coalitions.

LD/Tory economic policies wouldn't be that different (or put it this way, agreement could be reached so that deficit-cutting didn't start too much too fast) but no PR would be a dealbreaker.

LaurieFecktheToriesCake · 07/05/2010 18:11

That's a bit black and white.

there is a gap between dictatorship and first-past-the-post - think that gap is called democracy

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/05/2010 18:11

disagree - noone really knows the way out of this economic mess.
pr will have concrete long term results that will change the way we run democracy foreever

HumphreyCobbler · 07/05/2010 18:13

I think that is going a bit far actually

but then I would, being a tory

LaurieFecktheToriesCake · 07/05/2010 18:15

bugger off and read that link you said you were going to

HumphreyCobbler · 07/05/2010 18:17

they are still hanging off me, I have tried to bribe them with TV and everything

ds just said he thinks red is nicer than blue, have you been indoctrinating him Laurie?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/05/2010 18:25

shame I'm to addled to spell 'forever'!

can't think how the leaders can possibly be in discussions tonight when just watching it over night has left me unable to type coherent sentences!

catinthehat2 · 07/05/2010 18:59

Imagine a party list system , and then imagine somebody like Georgia Gould given a nice cushy high spot on the list because Daddy's a party bigwig.

Now cast your vote and - bingo! - she's getting a nice big lobby fodder paypacket.

I beleive the constituency link is very important to keep out showers of sh**e like that.

Chil1234 · 07/05/2010 20:20

Some pollster somewhere (if they haven't already) is going to be working out, if there were a referendum, how many people would support PR. I'm guessing the answer is actually 'no' ...it's not all that important to people... and that's why GB has offered it.

In the top ten rules of politics, close to No.1 is 'never hold a referendum unless you're damn sure what the answer is going to be'. GB's no fool

veselaliberalka · 07/05/2010 20:26

62% of people are in favour of PR, according to some poll from last week. Whether that number could hold up under a Tory/Labour squeeze remains to be seen...

Chil1234 · 07/05/2010 20:27

40%-ish of people supported Nick Clegg according to polls last week... "a week is a long time in politics" etc.