Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Jeremy Corbyn Elected Labour Leader

Proportional representation has caused a lot of problems in Italy.

My prefered electoral system is that of Australia: optional preferential voting for local representation in the lower house and STV (Single Transferable Vote) for State representation in the senate. It tends to produce a reasonably stable government based on a quasi 2 party system (Labour on the left and a stable coalition on the right). The Senate on the other hand tends to be more proportional with smaller parties achieving the required quota and often holding a very influential "balance of power".

An interesting item on STV here

And the optional preferential system here

I've noticed that. The video says PR is 100% fair and represents everyone, and means everyone can contribute to the decision making, however what the video doesn't say is that PR means you also have no one party taking absolute responsibility, especially important when things go wrong and they blame each other. At least with our system, when things go bad we can kick them out and try an alternative. Italians are stuck with the same old lot all doing deals behind closed doors.

Every political system has these behind closed doors issues.
Lobbyists work on politicians to press home their "wants".
Politicians are often too afraid to go against comments made for fear of losing power.
Take diesel fuel........
Years ago it was THE route to go due to greater mpg
Now that we have more eco/ health issues to the fore the negative emissions issues that were known of years ago seem to be coming to the fore.
A case of " moving with the times" or going with the lobbyists with the best "case" at the time. Following the change in what I refer to as " propaganda" politics".
What irks me are the many unsubstantiated claims by some groups that politicians fear questioning. Research(?) by different groups show opposing results...the loudest and most accusing voice wins...
HS2...........who is pulling the strings on that?
Rant over.....

Wow! - Brain has to be in top gear to follow that - great analysis though.

Just watched the authors "Brief History of The Royal Family"

That's it - my brain has melted!

https://www.youtube.com/user/CGPGrey

Bit ignorant on the Aus political system, but there is probably an interesting story on how they came to choose it rather than going for a replication of the UK parliamentary system.

Dismissing proportional representation on the basis of the Italian system is a bit selective. Proportional representation works in extremely well in other European countries.

And what about the Midlothian Question? Is it right for SNP MPs to be able to vote on English or Welsh matters?

Let me be clear before anyone misunderstands me; I am neither for nor against proportional representation; neither am a I particularly for or against the existing first-past-the-post system. It's not the principle of any system that's the problem but the design and implementation.

In 2002 I have been a customer of his brother Piers Corbyn, owner of Weatheraction, long-range weather forecasters. He predicted very correctly the weather for our wedding day in Florence well over 2 months in advance. I was quite astonished. I paid 50£.

If Corbyn is the best the Labour party has then David Cameron and party have nothing to worry about for the next 20 years

N. Sturgeon is going for another referendum within a year. When will it end?

Oh no! Not fish again!