 |
| |
|
|
Worthingtons
|
|
Pride Park,Derby
Jan 2002
time: 05:22
|
|
Ok, sorry if this has already been covered, I havent been here for a while and cant find it on a quick glance of the first pages.
It is widely acknolwedged that the UK election system does not deliver seats in direct proportion to votes. Many would say it is downright scandalously in favour of the ruling party here (Labour).
Yet nobody seems to want Proportional rep either?
I believe we need to find a balance and my suggestion would be to have 20% of seats decided by regional (ie east midlands,North West ect) Proportional representation. This would be as well as some tough review of the current constituency boundaries (ie Newcastle not split into 20 seats!).
I think this would avoid the typical pitfalls of PR (like coilition govts) while helping bring the balance back together. It would also fairly see minority parties who have large pockets of pockets in a region (ie BNP in North west) get the seat or 2 in parliament they deserve.
Thoughts?
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Worthingtons
|
|
Pride Park,Derby
Jan 2002
time: 05:22
|
|
Hi,
Many people see them as too weak over here, and yes, they like to have a 'local' MP.
To explain what I meant by the Regions :
At the moment there is around 650 seats in parliament, all decided by the winner in each constituency. My proposed system would be a little different.
There would be 600 'normal' seats in the new parlament (some of the seats are now too small and there 50 could easily be lost). There would then be an 'extra' 120 seats decided by way of Proportional Rep, multiple for each region depending on the population levles (much like we have for the MEP's).
The winner of each individual seat will be returned to Parlament as normal, he'll be the 'local' MP for his people. The other 120 seats would be split among the regions and allocated on a party basis on the % of total votes they got in that Region.
for Example, In the East Midlands, there may be about 60 regular seats, and about 12 of the 'extra' seats for the region. Lidems might only get about 10 of the 'regular' seats with 30% of the vote, but would get 4 of additional seats. A minority party, like Veritas, would probably not any of the regular seats but if it has 8% of the vote of more should secure at least one of the PR seats.
People's corrospondance should be affected, they can still contact thier local MP for issues. If they feel however that thier issue is more of a regional or even national one however they have the option of contacting thier regional MP's body. They can contact any or all of them, it's up to the citizen. It also might give a conservative voter, for example, in the North East the chance to write to his regional conservative MP if he feels his local Labour candidate will ignore him (highely probably up there).
|
|
| |
|
|
|
BlackCat
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Agathon
quote:
I want to vote for a person, not a party. I'd like to have an MP represent me, ie. to be in their constituency, so I know who to contact if I want my voice heard in parliament. |
Not everyone wants what you want. You are in the minority: most people vote for parties.
But there is an obvious solution to your gripe: Mixed Member Proportional Representation (what we have in NZ). Half of the seats are chosen the old fashioned way and the other half got to make up the proportions. |
There is an easy solution to that. Here in DK we have full PR ; many people votes for parties but have the possibillity to cast that vote for a particular member of that party.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Worthingtons
|
|
Pride Park,Derby
Jan 2002
time: 05:22
|
|
Heh, I took that from a Dane himself.
It's intresting you say that though, My current team on 'Football Manager 2005' Is FC Midttjylland 1999, I believe it stands for Middle Jutland?
Cheers
Matt
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Drogue
|
 |
Omnipresent conscience
Oct 2002
time: 05:22
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Agathon
quote:
I want to vote for a person, not a party. I'd like to have an MP represent me, ie. to be in their constituency, so I know who to contact if I want my voice heard in parliament. |
Not everyone wants what you want. You are in the minority: most people vote for parties. |
Yes, but that's still why I personally am for first past the post system. It all depends what you see democracy as supposed to be - if you see it as the will of the people, and the aim is to get as close to a refrendum on every issue as you can while still being feasible, then PR is a great system. If you see it as electing a person to represent you in parliament, and to vote on your behalf, FPTP is a better system.
I favour the latter, because I strongly dislike the idea of unfettered democracy, everything being down to the ever changing public whim.
quote:
Originally posted by Agathon
But there is an obvious solution to your gripe: Mixed Member Proportional Representation (what we have in NZ). Half of the seats are chosen the old fashioned way and the other half got to make up the proportions. |
That would address that particular problem yes, but not the ones about wanting a lack of coalitions and stability of government. These would still be issues when PR is introduced - less the closer to FPTP you stay, having a mixed system, but personally I'd still favour our current system. I see the merits of PR, but I don't want everything to reflect the will of the people, I want the most able people chosen to be in control of the country, and there to be some safety measure where the public can express their opinion. Ie. democracy, but with a stable government.
|
|
| |
|
| |
All times are GMT. The time now is 05:22.
Apolyton Time is 00:22. |
top of page
|
|
|
Forum Rules:
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is ON
vB code is ON
Smilies are ON
[IMG] code is ON
|
|
|
|
|
|
25-05-2005 22:38
.
|