Say "NO" to AV

By torypaul2010 at 13:23 on 19/04/11

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That sounds like a reasonable solution. Thanks Keith.

By TGRWorzel at 06:26 on 21/04/11
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If "none of the above" gets more votes than any of the candidates, then the election is re-run with different candidates. All the parties have to select a new candidate, and any independent has to stand down. It solves one of the problems with the current system whereby in safe seats the MP is effectively chosen by a couple of dozen party members and then rubber stamped by the electorate. Not that I would expect the situation to arise very often.

By Keith_Day at 21:35 on 20/04/11
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I agree Keith. If voting were compulsory it would certainly be appropriate to have a "None of the Above" option. But that might create a problem. What happens if the largest number of votes cast, i.e. the winner under FPTP rules, were actually for "None of the Above"...?

By TGRWorzel at 19:26 on 20/04/11
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I always thought - under fptp at least - that if voting were made compulsory there would have to be a "none of the above" option on the ballot paper. That might open the parties' eyes to what people really think about them.

It might be a way forward also for those who have sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent them from voting.

By Keith_Day at 08:33 on 20/04/11
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Yes I do hope that as many people as possible will turn out on May 5th, and vote in the local elections as well as in the AV referendum. As I said yesterday, I don't care how you all vote really, but it is important to vote if you can.

As for ToryPaul's idea of making voting compulsory, I think it is an idea that we might have to consider if turnout continues to drop. Quite how we enforce it I don't know, but if citizens can be legally bound to complete Census forms it ought to be possible with voting.

What's frustrating though, is that some parts of the word are currently fighting for the right to cast a fair vote, but here in the UK it seems that many people either take it for granted or simply can't be bothered...

By TGRWorzel at 19:59 on 19/04/11
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