BB FANS

My latest commentary....this time dealing with the UK election

Prime Minister Blair announces the date of the UK General Election as 05/05/05. Opinion polls show the ruling Labour government with a poll lead of just a few percent. However, there seems little doubt that Labour will win a historic third consecutive term in power. For the great majority of the UK population who can't stand any of the political options on offer, I suggest a 'none of the above' vote. Show your disgust by not voting for any of the current group of contemptible fools.

Full Article link

----
*Not sure what some of you will make of it, but turnout will surely fall further, and that is arguably the real story this May.

Calrissian: Ranting and raving...as ever.

It's interesting to see the list of countries (from the link on your site) that use the 'First Past The Post' system which makes our system so flawed - almost none are economically-developed countries (with the exception of Canada and USA although the latter is socially-undeveloped, it could be argued - but even then each state is given a 'vote value' which makes some use of proportionality). Proportional Representation, or a variation of it, on the other hand, as advocated by the LibDems, is the system used by the most economically-advanced nations in the world - so who said it led to unstable governments (and where is he now?)?
Link

yeah, the data tables are fascinating to read from a research point of view.
--
PR?
good aspect: Hmm, its great since everyone's vote is 'worth something' - no matter who wins overall control.

However, I'm certainly all for a domineering party of rule, whether it be labour, tory, or whatever. I like the idea of someone who gets elected being able to do just about anything they want to do.

*if i had to choose, I'd go with PR - if only since everyone gets a view aired. That includes all those views -some of whom many people would rather pretend are not held. The 'nazi' view could easily total a few % in the UK, and thats one reason some say PR is not good.

The euro-parliament though works using the PR system, and certainly an interesting example of what 'could be'.
As it is, there is no hope of PR in the UK for probably at least 25 years, if ever.

Calrissian: Wishes to be Dictator, permanently.

We have PR here (but aren't we usually ahead of the rest, these days - smoking ban, levy on plastic bags etc).

But there's a weird thing about PR -(and while I try to explain what I mean, do please bear in mind that I got an 'F' grade in my Leaving Certificate Maths exam - which is ironic, because my job now consists of calculating people's tax liability, but anyway...)....

When someone reaches the quota, and they are elected, their 'surplus' is divided between the other candidates... but that's not actually fair. Say Mr Blair needed 10,000 votes to be elected, and he actually got 15,000. The other 5,000 votes are examined, to see who gets the second preference on them... and they are shared out accordingly. So if Mr Howard (for example) got 3000 of the second preferences there, he might get enough to reach the quota and be elected, whereas Mr Kennedy might only get 2000, and not be elected.

However, it could be possible that of the 15,000 original first preferences that Mr Blair got, there were actually more second preferences going to Mr Kennedy - of the 10,000 that were 'used' to elect Mr Blair, 7000 of those could have put Mr Kennedy second.

But it's just the luck of the draw as to which votes are used as 'surplus' votes. The same thing happens when a candidate is eliminated - their second prefences are used. Again, there has to be some luck as to which candidates second preferences are used.

Perhaps I've got this wrong - but I don't think so! Perhaps some kind person could clarify the point. Thank you please!

Hmm, that doesn't sound very fair at all.

If 3% vote nazi, then 3% of the parliament should consist of those nuts. The same goes for every other group.

*interestingly, with 40.7% of the vote, Blair gets 62.6% of the seats. Every Blair vote is worth 1.5 times everyone else.

In many respects any 'first past the post' system stinks, in that it can allow a concerted small group of people(18-23%) to take control off the country. Although I will admit it makes for the possibility that some crazy group/dictator may one day take over the UK.

Calrissian: Cleaning house.

Ben Bradshaw, just knocked on our door, thats all i have to contribute!

Sorry

I'll be voting Lib Dem, because their candidate is the sitting MP and knows how best to deal with his local constituents. Simple as that.

My local Labour Candidate will possibly get my vote as I know him and my daughter went to school with his son