The AV vote is a good idea because people rarely agree with just one parties politics. Most like bits of two or more. However it may let dangerous smaller parties in through the side door. But I can't really see the Conservatives ganging up with the National Front...oh, wait a minute 
I had a voicemail message on my phone from some woman telling me she was phoning on behalf of my local Labour candidate and that he was number 2 on the ballot paper. She must have repeated the words 'number 2' 12 times.
Quote: TopBanana @ April 27 2011, 8:42 PM BSTI had a voicemail message on my phone from some woman telling me she was phoning on behalf of my local Labour candidate and that he was number 2 on the ballot paper. She must have repeated the words 'number 2' 12 times.
Subliminal messaging. You'll be on the toilet all night.
Quote: Tim Walker @ April 27 2011, 6:49 PM BSTMaybe we should just hope for a military dictatorship?
We tried that !
Quote: roscoff @ April 27 2011, 8:20 PM BSTThe AV vote is a good idea because people rarely agree with just one parties politics. Most like bits of two or more. However it may let dangerous smaller parties in through the side door. But I can't really see the Conservatives ganging up with the National Front...oh, wait a minute
Seriously? You really think there's a danger that the BNP will get more second votes than either Conservative or Labour get first votes?
Seems unlikely. The BNP are against AV because they realise they will quite possibly get relegated to almost entirely second votes. Which is what will probably happen to a lot of these dangerous smaller parties.
UKIP are in favour of AV because they are just as deluded as ever.
There is no UKIP candidate in my constituency, thank God.
Quote: Afinkawan @ April 28 2011, 5:01 PM BSTSeriously? You really think there's a danger that the BNP will get more second votes than either Conservative or Labour get first votes?
I think in some parts of Britain that may happen. Though their star is somewhat diminished of late which I hope will mean they are left all at sea by this.
The idea that AV will allow bigots a stronger say is bunkum. They would have to get more than 50% of active votes to be elected.
Ironically, a much fairer system of democracy like a truly proportional system would probably see BNP candidates in parliament.
You'll be glad to hear I have red all your arguments for and against, and I have finally found a compromise I can live with, so I will be going abroad (well, technically Scotland isn't abroad, but it gets me off wasting my vote 
Quote: Badge @ April 28 2011, 6:38 PM BSTThe idea that AV will allow bigots a stronger say is bunkum. They would have to get more than 50% of active votes to be elected.
Bingo! People seems obsessed with the idea that they'll end up having to nominate the likes of the BNP at some point, which is simply untrue.
Personally, I never want to see them in power, so I'll never give them any number at all. As long as half the population of any given constituency think that way, they will NEVER get a seat. The benefit of AV is exactly that - it requires more than half the people voting to actually want them in - the pub/coffee shop advert is the perfect example of this.
I sort of wish I could vote in this now, but I won't be home until 9 and I don't fancy going to the polling station then. I should have gone postal.
To rip myself and Critique off...
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Today's AV vote - or to give its full title, the Alternative Vote vote. Now, I'm really not sure what I'm going to do at this referendum. I mean, do I really care that much who runs the country? Let's face it 'running' the country has always been a bit of a misnomer because throughout my life no-one has done any better than an arthritic walk. I certainly don't think Paula Ratcliffe has anything to worry about.
So it begs the question where should I put my 'X' on Thursday? My instinct tells me to vote 'No' - I mean, I don't actually think we need those those letters anymore particularly in VAT. Since when has tax added any value? There was a time I thought about voting with my feet but it would've been a bugger to hold the pencil.
Quote: chipolata @ May 5 2011, 8:45 AM BSTI sort of wish I could vote in this now, but I won't be home until 9 and I don't fancy going to the polling station then.
Slacker.
Quote: chipolata @ May 5 2011, 8:45 AM BSTI should have gone postal.
In the American sense? Bit harsh.
Quote: AngieBaby @ May 5 2011, 12:31 AM BSTYou'll be glad to hear I have red all your arguments for and against, and I have finally found a compromise I can live with, so I will be going abroad (well, technically Scotland isn't abroad, but it gets me off wasting my vote
But don't come here if you want peace and quiet - the hills are alive to the sound of politicians trying to get elected to the Scottish Parliament.
If the intelligence insulting two page spread for the NO campaign in this morning's Metro does not persuade readers to vote YES then nothing will.