tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post590860718757407594..comments2024-01-23T16:53:02.428+00:00Comments on Mark Thompson: Cameron will say anything to avoid electoral reformMark Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00744387583593537268noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-85651121412771829532009-06-03T20:38:14.188+01:002009-06-03T20:38:14.188+01:00You have broad agreement from this Tory. Preferent...You have broad agreement from this Tory. Preferential voting is the only way forward. It will still ensure there are working majorities in Westminster and it removes the need to vote tactically. You know if your first choice is not elected, you can always have a say in making sure your second choice stands a better chance over the person or party you can't stand.Andrew Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00001512586556659809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-46829723568191354462009-06-03T04:53:14.930+01:002009-06-03T04:53:14.930+01:00It is the current system under which governments a...It is the current system under which governments are formed by deals made in smoky back rooms.<br /><br />After a proportional election, the parties go through a formal negotiation process that culminates in a signed agreement on who will be the Government, who will be in the Cabinet, and what will be the government's agenda for the next few years.<br /><br />This written agreement is subject to scrutiny by the voters, the media, and the parties in the Opposition.<br /><br />When you have a fair voting system, government is transparent and accountable.Wayne Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08080912916559741326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-91492023193672213032009-06-03T00:25:12.487+01:002009-06-03T00:25:12.487+01:00OK, it's not standardised, but that makes his mist...OK, it's not standardised, but that makes his mistake <A HREF="http://markwadsworth.blogspot.com/2009/06/dave-dont-got-no-clue-10.html" REL="nofollow">even worse</A> (certainly from a Lib Dem point of view).Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-77948146524329609072009-06-02T22:44:05.323+01:002009-06-02T22:44:05.323+01:00Excellent summary. I think you missed a bit - Call...Excellent summary. I think you missed a bit - CallmeDave says <I>"If just eight per cent of the electorate votes for the BNP then as a result of the PR system that Labour forced on us ..."</I>I thought the EU parliament voting system was fairly standardised across the EU, in which case he is factually incorrect. It's quite a good system as it happens, much better than STV - which you probably only support because you're a Lib Dem...Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-45495065777934657462009-06-02T22:01:26.370+01:002009-06-02T22:01:26.370+01:00Cameron MUST go. Dont be Vague, vote for Hague.Cameron MUST go. Dont be Vague, vote for Hague.East Midlandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-12913364704275670532009-06-02T16:48:59.482+01:002009-06-02T16:48:59.482+01:00Hmmmmm. Great post, and I agree with 75% of it. Bu...Hmmmmm. Great post, and I agree with 75% of it. But ...<br /><BR><I>Any coalition discussions would be open to massive scrutiny by the media and people like me! They would not get away with dodgy deals in back rooms.</I><BR>I just can't believe that. There really wouldn't be any transparency in those discussions: even if you could (somehow) force open discussions, deals would still be made beforehand, and then presented in the 'official' session. <br /><br />And <I>that</I> to my mind, is where the whole damn thing falls down. <br /><br />As CallMeDave says "<I>Instead of voters choosing their government on the basis of the manifestos ... party managers put together a government ... after rounds of horse-trading and bargaining for power</I>". I'm afraid he's right on that, at least.Constantly Furioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02820008075933084222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-39132139172633175692009-06-02T15:40:17.116+01:002009-06-02T15:40:17.116+01:00The worst thing is that he knows his arguments are...The worst thing is that he knows his arguments are daft - he's already on record as saying that he thinks STV would be the fairest system.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05170346325586726453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-76652593477142031032009-06-02T14:42:15.022+01:002009-06-02T14:42:15.022+01:00Re the first point - it also suggests that there c...Re the first point - it also suggests that there can be zero engagement between the MP and you... if you didn't vote for that person. Is he suggesting he only represents those in his constituency who vote for him?liquidindianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15745137012802540927noreply@blogger.com