So my previous post seems to have struck a chord. I only wrote it this morning and it’s my second most popular article (and the most popular one has been steadily gathering traffic since 2007 and has been posted to reddit twice. Wow.
Anyway, it’s a cool idea. I like it. It has a lot of aesthetic appeal. But it’s not the system I’m going to be voting for.
On May 5th, we (the UK) will be asked “‘At present, the UK uses the ‘first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ‘alternative vote’ system be used instead?”. I’m going to be voting yes. I hope you are too.
I could at this point launch into a long article as to why I think you should, but instead I’d rather ask: If you’re reading this, and you’re thinking of voting no, can we talk about it? Post a comment, send me an email, whatever you’d like really. I’d like to know, and I’d like the chance to change your mind.
And if you’re reading this and thinking of not voting, please do vote. Regardless of which side you choose, this is really important.
I’m Australian, and we have had the “alternative vote” system (known here as preferential voting) for as long as I’ve been alive. To me the first past the post system seems far inferior. So much in fact that I’d say it’s not really truly democratic. Australia is proof that the AV system does not endanger the stabiliity of governments.
Pingback: Best of drmaciver.com | David R. MacIver