Comments on: Electoral Reform http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358 Every day the Prime Minister's Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as 'the lobby' for a topical chat, or 'briefing'. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:25:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: John Cross http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-6257 John Cross Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:48:57 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-6257 I have to agree with Andrew that STV (also called Choice Voting) is the best voting system. Choice Voting provides fair representation for all points of view while preserving majority rule. Choice Voting also gives voters genuine choice and virtually eliminates probems such as tactical voting and wasted votes. Choice Voting will be used for the Local Elections in Scotland next month. Choice Voting is used for Local, European and Assembly Elections in Northen Ireland. I have to agree with Andrew that STV (also called Choice Voting) is the best voting system. Choice Voting provides fair representation for all points of view while preserving majority rule. Choice Voting also gives voters genuine choice and virtually eliminates probems such as tactical voting and wasted votes.

Choice Voting will be used for the Local Elections in Scotland next month. Choice Voting is used for Local, European and Assembly Elections in Northen Ireland.

]]> By: John Cross http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-6256 John Cross Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:47:52 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-6256 I have to agree with Andrew that STV (also called Choice Voting) is the best voting system. Choice Voting provides fair representation for all points of view while preserving majority rule. Choice Voting also gives voters genuine choice and virtually eliminates probems such as tactical voting and wasted votes. Choice Voting will be used for the Local Elections in Scotland next month. Choice Voting is used for Local, European and Assembly Elections in Northen Ireland. I have to agree with Andrew that STV (also called Choice Voting) is the best voting system. Choice Voting provides fair representation for all points of view while preserving majority rule. Choice Voting also gives voters genuine choice and virtually eliminates probems such as tactical voting and wasted votes.

Choice Voting will be used for the Local Elections in Scotland next month. Choice Voting is used for Local, European and Assembly Elections in Northen Ireland.

]]> By: Alan Sutton http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-4336 Alan Sutton Mon, 22 May 2006 23:13:36 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-4336 I no all politicians lie but what this goverment well its time to call time there performents over the last few weeks on eduction failed prisons free in this country failed NHS trust a joke failed yes failed on the very basics of goverment when are they going to take note of what we yes we the people of this country are saying I say to the labour goverment enough is a enough Q; If there is any one out there needs the solution to most of the problms then i have them . I no all politicians lie but what this goverment
well its time to call time there performents over the last few weeks on eduction failed
prisons free in this country failed
NHS trust a joke failed yes failed on the very basics of goverment when are they going to take note of what we yes we the people of this country are saying I say to the labour goverment
enough is a enough Q; If there is any one out there needs the solution to most of the problms
then i have them .

]]> By: george dutton http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-1433 george dutton Thu, 05 Aug 2004 00:50:11 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-1433 The problem with P.R.in Britain at the moment is that Britain is a very divided society and P.R. may divided it even more!.I wonder how long the Tories would put up with being the single biggest partie and have to play second fiddle to a Labour/Lib Dem goverment or a Lib Dem/Labour goverment.I can`t see them making pact`s with far left partie`s. The problem with P.R.in Britain at the moment is that Britain is a very divided society and P.R. may divided it even more!.I wonder how long the Tories would put up with being the single biggest partie and have to play second fiddle to a Labour/Lib Dem goverment or a Lib Dem/Labour goverment.I can`t see them making pact`s with far left partie`s.

]]> By: Andrew http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-498 Andrew Thu, 18 Mar 2004 15:32:32 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-498 AV is not a proportional system, in fact in some cases it can be less proportional than FPTP. You have to have multi-member constituencies to have a PR System. The best system, as proposed by the Electoral Reform Society is STV, on 4 member constituencies. AV is not a proportional system, in fact in some cases it can be less proportional than FPTP.

You have to have multi-member constituencies to have a PR System. The best system, as proposed by the Electoral Reform Society is STV, on 4 member constituencies.

]]> By: PapaLazzzaru http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-491 PapaLazzzaru Wed, 17 Mar 2004 16:39:46 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-491 I'd also be interested to know what bearing events in Spain over the past week or so have had on government thinking. I wouldn't mind betting there is a huge amount of research going on in government departments right now, looking at ways of maximizing votes in a reformed voting system in case a repeat of the Spanish general election happens over here. I also wouldn't mind betting that this sudden talk of electoral reform has come about because the government has suddenly had a huge shock and realise that they need to do something to win back voters. I think it is far too little and far far too late; I only hope the electorate of this country show the same courage and conviction as the Spanish. I’d also be interested to know what bearing events in Spain over the past week or so have had on government thinking. I wouldn’t mind betting there is a huge amount of research going on in government departments right now, looking at ways of maximizing votes in a reformed voting system in case a repeat of the Spanish general election happens over here. I also wouldn’t mind betting that this sudden talk of electoral reform has come about because the government has suddenly had a huge shock and realise that they need to do something to win back voters. I think it is far too little and far far too late; I only hope the electorate of this country show the same courage and conviction as the Spanish.

]]> By: Tim http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-490 Tim Wed, 17 Mar 2004 16:28:22 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-490 Funny how Labour starts nervously toying with the idea of electoral reform once a rumour of the Conservatives considering dropping Scottish Westminster MPs starts doing the rounds. Funny how Labour starts nervously toying with the idea of electoral reform once a rumour of the Conservatives considering dropping Scottish Westminster MPs starts doing the rounds.

]]> By: Chris Lightfoot http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-483 Chris Lightfoot Wed, 17 Mar 2004 14:09:10 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-483 For information, the Jenkins Commission recommended AV-plus, which is summarised here: <a href="http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/1998-99/99rn14.htm">http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/1998-99/99rn14.htm</a> I'd be interested to know what makes it "a pile of rubbish" -- I haven't read the Commission's full report, but the bits I have read seem sensible enough. For information, the Jenkins Commission recommended AV-plus, which is summarised here:
<a href="http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/1998-99/99rn14.htm">http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/1998-99/99rn14.htm</a>

I’d be interested to know what makes it "a pile of rubbish" — I haven’t read the Commission’s full report, but the bits I have read seem sensible enough.

]]> By: David Boothroyd http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-482 David Boothroyd Wed, 17 Mar 2004 13:23:26 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-482 Labour did not commit to PR before 1997. There was a commitment to look into the subject which produced the Jenkins report, but as this was a pile of rubbish it went no further. The 2001 manifesto did not commit to any further action. Labour did not commit to PR before 1997. There was a commitment to look into the subject which produced the Jenkins report, but as this was a pile of rubbish it went no further. The 2001 manifesto did not commit to any further action.

]]> By: Lodjer http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-481 Lodjer Wed, 17 Mar 2004 12:58:11 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/03/16/358#comment-481 Didn't Labour commit to PR before it came to power? Some of the advantages of AV look quite interesting, particularly the possibility of increased influence of smaller parties as the larger ones "bid" for second preferences. Is it possible to trust a ruling government to make changes to the electoral system in an honest way? Didn’t Labour commit to PR before it came to power?

Some of the advantages of AV look quite interesting, particularly the possibility of increased influence of smaller parties as the larger ones "bid" for second preferences.

Is it possible to trust a ruling government to make changes to the electoral system in an honest way?

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