Yes or no

[altariel]

OK, f'listers, let rip. In 100 words or less, and without reference to the other case, tell me why I should vote either 'yes' or 'no' to the following question:

"Do you want the United Kingdom to adopt the 'alternative vote' system instead of the current 'first past the post' system for electing Members of Parliament to the House of Commons?"

Non-UK perspectives welcome.

Comments

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

I can't really see the point of AV - if no candidate gets more than 50% of people's first choice, then whoever wins will still be the first choice of less than half the constituency. Seems to me it's wanting to have your cake and eat it, to vote for who you want and then to say, oh, no, I didn't really mean that, let me have it again. Doesn't work in chess, counts as cabbaging in rounders ... ;)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm also struggling to see the point of AV. I can see why all three main parties like it: doesn't disrupt majorities, whilst being likely to deliver more seats to the LibDems. I'm really waiting for someone to give me the killer reason why, though.