Post by peakman on Jun 3, 2009 13:11:17 GMT
Our political betters who represent us at Westminster, would have us believe proportional representation would be a bad thing, as would fixed terms of office etc. Well they would wouldn't they. They tell us that we would end up not with the nice guy who knocked on our door but that we would be allocated a body from the party list. Who wants that? No one. However problems are things to be overcome and this one more or less can be. So here I go with, "Voter friendly P.R." ( No party list P.R.) (General elections only)
Joe Bloggs and co come knocking at your door as per usual. We go into the polling booth and cast our vote, as per usual. But at this point things do not go as they have been doing for far too long. Now, with the "New improved system of voter friendly PR", Joe, who gained the most votes can no longer be confident that this will ensure his return to Parliament, for what is crucial to this happening, is the percentage of votes he obtained. Lets say Joe obtained 55% of the votes cast, so he's in with more than a good chance. Now we wait.
With all the votes in nationally, seats can now be allocate. At present there are 308 seats up for grabs, cull that to 300 for easy reckoning, PR wise and Joe's party with 42% of the national vote, gets 126 seats. Joe, with his 55% local vote majority, is far enough up the party list, (Compiled in accordance with the majority percentage gained by each candidate) and is declared member of parliament for the constituency he or she campaigned for.
The problem comes when, lets take Joe's party, they have no more seats allocated to them and yet have one or two (may be more) winners of their individual contests. However these would be in very marginal constituencies, in which case the candidate of the party next in line, with an available seat would be declared the constituency's member of parliament.
To avoid the above situation, a prospective member of parliament would be well advised to go for every vote possible, for what he or she has to do is not only win, but win with by a large percentage, one that will get him, or her, as far up the "Party list" as possible. Also of course get out all their supporters, cos in the final analysis those few extra votes may just be what is required for their party to be allocated another seat.
First of course, we have a purge to carry out.
Joe Bloggs and co come knocking at your door as per usual. We go into the polling booth and cast our vote, as per usual. But at this point things do not go as they have been doing for far too long. Now, with the "New improved system of voter friendly PR", Joe, who gained the most votes can no longer be confident that this will ensure his return to Parliament, for what is crucial to this happening, is the percentage of votes he obtained. Lets say Joe obtained 55% of the votes cast, so he's in with more than a good chance. Now we wait.
With all the votes in nationally, seats can now be allocate. At present there are 308 seats up for grabs, cull that to 300 for easy reckoning, PR wise and Joe's party with 42% of the national vote, gets 126 seats. Joe, with his 55% local vote majority, is far enough up the party list, (Compiled in accordance with the majority percentage gained by each candidate) and is declared member of parliament for the constituency he or she campaigned for.
The problem comes when, lets take Joe's party, they have no more seats allocated to them and yet have one or two (may be more) winners of their individual contests. However these would be in very marginal constituencies, in which case the candidate of the party next in line, with an available seat would be declared the constituency's member of parliament.
To avoid the above situation, a prospective member of parliament would be well advised to go for every vote possible, for what he or she has to do is not only win, but win with by a large percentage, one that will get him, or her, as far up the "Party list" as possible. Also of course get out all their supporters, cos in the final analysis those few extra votes may just be what is required for their party to be allocated another seat.
First of course, we have a purge to carry out.
