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

[communicator.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree with charlie but I am sure most of your commentators will take the other view. I think AV creates an artificial impression that candidates have been endorsed by voters who have simply ranked them as 'not as bad as some other candidate'. I think the aim of those keen to introduce AV it is to ensure permanent coalition government, which will remove political decision making to an arena of post-election stitch ups behind closed doors, and give them an alibi to roll back the NHS, universal education, minimum wage etc, which is against the interests and will of the majority.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I think AV creates an artificial impression that candidates have been endorsed by voters who have simply ranked them as 'not as bad as some other candidate

I have a lot of sympathy with this perspective. One feature of FPTP is just how impressively it chucks out unwanted governments.