The Voting Sysyem for the UK should be changed?

Question

FPTP should be replaced with something like AMS - but maybe a little less in favor to the parties - i.e. by-elections taking place when a List MP stands down...

some good points made and some myths...

Answer 1

AMS is a decent representative system just as long as its handled properly. I.e. people need to be given clear instructions on how to fill in the ballot papers prior to the election, in order to avoid a complete farce like 10 or 11 % of ballot papers being spoilt for instance. Also preferably, the constituancy vote and the list vote should be on separate ballot papers to avoid confusion. In other words, the mistakes of the recent Scottish election must not be repeated.

In addition, the threshold percentage a party must reach on the list vote in order to get representation must be very carefully set, so that Parliament consists of a truly representative mix of MPs, but the nonsensical time wasters are excluded. At the moment I think the threshold for the Scottish Parliament is too high at 4%.

When the House of Lords becomes a fully elected upper House, I think AMS would be a good idea for that. It would get people used to the idea prior to implimanting it at some time in the future for the House of Commons.

Answer 2

I believe the First Past the Post system is the best for Parliamentary Elections, but possibly Proportional Representation should be considered for Local Government. However, the FPTP should be brought up to date. At present, the Conservative Party would have to have a poll lead of over 6% to have any hope of forming a Government, due to changes in population distribution. This cannot be healthy for the democratic system.

Answer 3

It needs a rethink, at any rate. The party with the most seats forming the government is not truly representative of the voters, since electoral boundaries in the UK mean that the party with the most seats might well not have the most votes.
The majority saying we're doing this is not democracy. Democracy implies discussion over the best route with all the interested groups. This is not what we get in the UK. We get the majority saying we've decided and that's it bar the shouting.
The Scottish Parliament's dual voting system is better, but it's still not perfect. Although the PR aspects of it still keep the joke parties (UKIP, BNP etc) out of the Scottish Parliament completely.

Answer 4

The first past the post system is in place to allow for fast implementation of the law. I understand that some feel this is unfair because the government is not representative of the voting people.
If we adopted the proportional systems, like the french, Italians and so forth, we'd never get any laws passed, the politicians would just spend all their time arguing about which bills to pass. We'd be holding new elections all the time, due to governments being dissolved.
With first past the post, a new government has a real chance to change the things that we don't like about the law,

AMS? Do you mean the alternative vote (preferential vote), like how they do it in Australia? yeah.. i like this system too.
However, its main effect in the UK would be to transfer seats from the Conservatives to the centre Liberal Democrats, but it would only be beneficial to the Labour Party. And for this reason, I would much prefer to stick to what we've got and hopefully get rid of those Labour spin doctor.

Answer 5

No first past the post is the best the proportional voting idea is just a bit of flouncing about. Generally it gives a reasonably fair result. The problem comes with boundaries it is often though to be fixed in favour of the ruling party say a Tory stronghold being divided up between several labour strong holds etc

The idea of voting on every issue is impracticable and with the bast will in the world would lead to mixed messages

Answer 6

We just need to have.
'None of the above'
as the last option on the ballot paper and legislation in place to guarantee a rerun in that constituency or ward (if local) if NOTA gets the top vote in the FPTP system.

Answer 7

I would prefer the AVS. Although it's not PR is would make for a more representative parliament that FPTP does.

Answer 8

First past the post has worked so far, but some form of prportional representation should be applied. It is becoming harder and harder for small parties and independent to get elected, and I want to see more of both.

Answer 9

FPTP?, AMS?

Can you start by explaining what youre trying to say?

Answer 10

Sorry no changes please, Its not the best system, but at least we have some stability, even if we don;t like the party elected.

Look at Italy for a comparison on a similar system.