How PR really works

From time to time one comes across something that appears to be one thing yet on closer examination is really something else altogether.

PR by any of its definitions falls firmly into that category.

Let’s take a look at what is currently on offer with the AV (alternative vote) system being paraded like some big bag of sweets.

One has to say that the single most disturbing feature of this system is that some people get to vote twice in the same constituency and others don’t! In the broad scope of definitions of fairness this is a bizarre inclusion. One person one vote is a principle of democracy and allowing some to vote twice in the same election doesn’t satisfy that criteria.

Secondly, and in common with all PR or like PR systems nobody has a clue how it works except for the bloke that wrote the computer program. No longer will results be transparent so there’s another fundamental principle of democracy down the toilet. If you can understand the formula you can’t work it out so there becomes an unacceptable reliance on a result that cannot be verified.

Now we all know how absolutely secure computer systems are?

The current system of FPTP has worked well for a century and more and on most occasions we do not have the unedifying spectacle now unfolding before our very eyes. Such a system works because of one, absolutely fundamental, concept.

"In order to seek an authority of governance over an entire people those seeking that must achieve significant and widespread support which is clearly over and above that of their rivals and on conclusion of that process must clearly enjoy the will of the people."

The only changes to our electoral system that would actually strengthen the principles of democracy rather than undermine them are as follows.

1) Constituencies of equal size
2) Two polling days.

Each general election would be planned with two polls to be taken one week apart. The first poll would, in essence, be an eliminator with the exception than any candidate achieving 50% of the vote or more would be declared an absolute winner and such a constituency would not go forward to the second poll.

The second poll would be contested only by the two candidates with the highest number of votes from the first poll where neither achieved an absolute majority. The result of this second poll would select a majority candidate.

This upholds all the principles of democracy, maintains the constituency connection with our rulers, where people vote twice they all vote twice, is transparent and prevents minority interests from ever disproportionally influencing policy ever again.

That gets my vote!!