Yes to AV – No to AV – The Alternative Vote Debate and Brain Freeze
I have a confession to make. For some reason the whole “Alternative Vote” debate gives me brain freeze. What I mean by this, is that within a nanosecond of seeing: “Yes to AV” / “No to AV” my eyes glaze over and I enter into a brief catatonic state.
I know this issue is important and I suspect my reactions are somewhat fueled by the incessant pursuit by Jonathan Bartley of Ekklesia, to push one side of the argument, in what can only be described as a moral crusade.
In order to redress all of this, I’m going to provide links to two fine bloggers – of whom I have the highest respect – who put forward the clearest, concisest, coherent cases, from polar positions on the debate.
In the “No” camp we have Clayboy and be sure to follow the link to his previous post:
An open letter to Jonathan Bartley and the yes to AV campaign
And in the “yes” camp we have Gregg:
By the way, apparently there is to be a Christian debate on 16th Feb.
So there you go, my work here is done and I have alleviated my guilt for having such an intellectually feeble and irresponsible attitude towards this important issue.
Tags: Politics
February 9th, 2011 at 9:16 am
I understand your brain freeze, there can’t be many drier subjects than voting systems.
What I like about AV is that it is simple. Some systems of PR require a degree in advanced supranuclear mathematics to understand. I made that degreee up but sure you get my drift!!
February 9th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
IHSV
Have long given up on the democratic electoral processes of the U.K. in withholding my mandate, AV is just one more ‘gerrymandering’ exercise, would settle for a few wise Christian men in place of the present political elite.
February 10th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Bearing in mind Bartley’s politics – far left, anti-Israel, anti-Evangelical – I usually take the view that, if people like him are in favour of a policy or political idea, then it must be bad.
As ever, this is shown to be the case here. Coalition Governments are stodgy fudges which achieve no actual benefit for anyone excepot those in office, as we see in England today. The only outcome in a Briutish election that could be worse than a coalition would be a return to Labour, which is what the supporters of AV ultimately desire
February 10th, 2011 at 10:59 am
“..a return to Labour, which is what the supporters of AV ultimately desire”. On what premise do you base that conclusion?
I have campaigned against socialism, and social democracy all my adult life and hope to never see another Labour government. To say AV would produce Labour goverments does not stand up to scrutiny.
Many forms of PR would produce coalition governments. But is democracy having MPs and governments elected on less than 35% of the vote? At least AV more nearly represents, without being ideal,the wishes of the electorate. Don’t forget, it is FPTP that has foisted this coalition government on us and gave us Labour governments from 1997 to 2010.
What has driven many of us out of active politics is the apathy of the electorate, and being constantly whined at and attacked by people who prefer to moan than get off their backsides to even vote. Rather than “withholding my mandate” I got off my backside and got involved, a shame a few others don’t instead of griping and expecting others to do something. Then moaning at them when they do.
February 10th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
IHSV
@Gregg Beaman,
Rather than “withholding my mandate” I got off my backside and got involved, a shame a few others don’t instead of griping and expecting others to do something.
In a democracy actively withholding the mandate is not an act of apathy or of being apolitical it is a powerfull tool, as you point out in your comment “has driven many of us out of active politics” my “withholding my mandate” is not apathy it is to deny the U.K. political elite any legitimacy.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:41 pm
No Goy. Your empty gesture further entrenches the political elite.
All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for enough good men to do nothing.
Well done.