Alternative Vote - How will you vote at the referendum?

[Frodo13.]

As you may or may not know, we will be holding a referendum on whether we should adopt the Alternative Vote method in electing our MPs. Just wondering how you are going to vote, or, if your not old enough to vote, how would you if you could? I'm still undecided on it, because I understand the pros and cons of AV, however I am leaning more over to voting NO

[Conservative,]

I can't vote, but I'm split on this.

Pros (of AV):

Allows fairer representation of what the constituents want
Gives smaller parties a chance
Lets people vote for several parties if they're split

Cons:

Allows extremist parties to get more votes and potentially more seats
The first past the post seems pretty fair to me - don't fix something that isn't broken

[buttons]

i will/would vote yes just cause it's better than fptp
when is it being done anyway? isn't it during some sort of election? i remember there was a uproar about it

[Frodo13.]

i will/would vote yes just cause it's better than fptp
when is it being done anyway? isn't it during some sort of election? i remember there was a uproar about it

May 4th I THINK. But don't quote me on it.

[Conservative,]

i will/would vote yes just cause it's better than fptp
when is it being done anyway? isn't it during some sort of election? i remember there was a uproar about it

Same day as Scottish Parliament elections

[FlyingJesus]

It's a terrible system, it basically ensures a minority government and doesn't mean that the majority gets their choice at all, merely gives mandate to parties who weren't actually the first choice and therefore weren't truly elected

May 4th I THINK. But don't quote me on it.

Quoted lololol

[-:Undertaker:-]

For AV;

Labour Party(?)
Liberal Democrats
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Green Party

Against AV;

Conservative Party
British National Party


I'm personally undecided, the smaller parties which do deserve more representation aren't likely to gain under each side of the referendum and I do prefer the FPTP system over the AV system, although I want proportional representation which from what I recall the Liberal Democrats did promise. There could be an upside though, that under AV where you list the favoured parties that minor parties could be placed at the top of peoples lists because they would still be voting for their main tribal parties eg; i'll vote Tory to keep Labour out - but would also be listing minor parties which might make it easier to snatch seats. It *could* help to break down the tribalist mindset.

Then of course there's the political side; a no vote could possibly cause a coup against Nick Clegg from the Liberal Democrats and destroy the coalition which would be a welcome result - but consitutionally i'm more inclined to vote to retain the FPTP system as we have had it for many years and it does appear to be the better system over AV. I'm (at the present) more likely to vote against AV and retain FPTP. I say that though, but i'm also tempted to simply spoil my vote and add proportional representation to my voting card and tick that.

But lets be honest, this isn't the issue we should be having a referendum over.

[Frodo13.]

For AV;

Labour Party(?)
Liberal Democrats
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Green Party

Against AV;

Conservative Party
British National Party

I think Labour has kept rather quiet on AV really; possibly because it's split over the issue. From what I've read, Ed Milliband is for AV whilst some on the old timers like Prescott and Blunket are not in favour. And I'm supprised the BNP is against it, seeing as it small parties which benefit from AV.

The more I think about it, whilst I know FPTP doesn't exactly always give parties the mandate to govern, it creates strong solid governments. AV causes more hung parliaments, which in turns gives the power to the polititians with their secret deals, which isn't fair in my opinion.

[craig1709]

Just two points about why I don't feel there's a need for us to change the system:

- It'll cost around 250m apparently, to be honest, there's areas where that sort of money could be better spent.

- The old phrase 'if it isn't broke, don't fix it'. I find fptp perfectly fine.

[jam666]

I'll be voting NO.

Why try to fix something that isn't broken?, As far as im concerned the system is fine as it is and the attempt by the lib-dems and other minority partys for AV is quite frankly stupid. There is only one reason why they want AV and thats because they know that they will have more representation in parliament and essentially be the party that holds the other two to randsom which is unthinkable (think back to general election last year).

Under AV it is highly unlikely although not impossible to have a majority government and thats precisely why i'm voting against it.