FPTP

Member 581642

Again a reminder that we vote for a local representative not a party , that is why (for good or for bad) when the Tories MPs "defected" to UKIP they kept their seats until the next election.

Maybe we should interact more with our local representative and then we would "all" think its fairer as they understand better who they represent.

EarthRod

Again a reminder that a local election was held when a Tory MP defected to UKIP.

Again a reminder the FPTP voting system is designed for a two party system and is totally unrepresentative for voters in a multi-party system. Westminster House of Commons or Lower House itself is designed for a two-party system, facing each other across the despatch box. Other political parties are tucked up to one side.

The local 'representative' (assume that means MP) is voted in through party politics and represents that party in Parliament. For example, a Tory MP sits with the other Tory MPs in the Lower House and represents the Tory voters in a constituency.

Member 581642

Carswell resigned his seat which he was under no obligation to do so.

The two sides of the house represent the government and the opposition not two parties specifically .

Rasczak

No, an elected MP represents all their constituency - not just those who voted for them.

Pecker

For a long while my guess has been that the only realistic way that we'll get PR is if Labour decide to support it.

The Conservatives never will, all the other parties already do.

Labour have flirted with it, but not been fully committed.  The received wisdom is that those in the party opposed to a change quite like the idea of getting a full majority every now and then.

I'm wondering if this might tip the balance:

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/9418

Note:

"Looking at how the vote was distributed at the general election the Conservatives should, on a uniform swing, be able to secure a majority on a lead of about 6%. Labour would need a lead of almost thirteen points. On an equal amount of votes – 34.5% a piece – the Conservatives would have almost fifty seats more than Labour, Labour would need to have a lead of about four points over the Conservatives just to get the most seats in a hung Parliament. The way the cards have fallen, the system is now even more skewed against Labour than it was against the Conservatives."

And further:

"And, of course, these are on current boundaries. Any boundary review is likely to follow the usual pattern of reducing the number in seats in northern cities where there is a relative decline in population and increasing the number of seats in the south where the population is growing… further shifting things in the Conservatives favour."

And finally, this is all presuming a full UK vote.  How long until a successful Scottish independence referendum?

Look at those figures again.  Labour would need a 13 point lead just to get a tiny majority.  For comparison purposes, Blair's landslide in 1997 gave them a lead of just 12.5%.  That's right, as things stand, even if Labour got a result like that in'97 they might still not have a majority in parliament.

Factor in the boundary changes and it might look like Labour would never gain a majority again.

I wonder if this could be the factor that finally pushes Labour to support PR.

Steve W

Rasczak

I doubt it. Labour will adapt, even if takes 20 years, and eventually garner enough support to displace the Tories. Perhaps a merger with the rump of the Lib Dems would hasten it?

Pecker

Who wins the leadership contest may have an impact.

Steve W

lostinspace

I agree all voting systems have their problems.

So I suggest we keep FPTP and scrap the parties. Then we'd all have MPs free to do as their employers (we the electorate) tell them and not as the party dictates.

And while we're on it (even though we weren't), any MP who accepts the party whip should be paid by the party and not from the public purse. After all, their constituent's wishes are obviously less important than the party stance.

EarthRod

Such a free-for-all with no party manifesto will result in nothing being done in parliament and everybody pulling in different directions.

... Er, hold on...

Sonic67

Brexit Party joins voting reform alliance

The Brexit Party has joined forces with the Lib Dems, the Greens and the SNP to call for a citizens' assembly to decide changes to the UK's voting system.

The parties have signed a declaration calling for the first-past-the-post method for Westminster elections to be replaced by a proportional system.