Like it!

However, it does remind me that at the moment I have no idea what to do at the next general election. I can't vote Labour, not with what they are doing in this government. Obviously, with my views, I won't be voting Conservative. But in the ward I live in, no other party stands a chance of being elected. And while I hate this Labour government with a passion, a Tory one would be worse.

Don't you just love First Past The Post?

I believe passionately in democracy - I'm a democrat - but I agree FPTP makes a mockery of it.

After all, if your vote plays no part in getting your party of choice elected, and you're pratically compelled to either vote for another party or not vote at all lest you're helping your opposition, how can that possibly be called democratic?

Probably a topic for another thread though!

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by Jayjay
Like it!

I can't vote Labour, not with what they are doing in this government. Obviously, with my views, I won't be voting Conservative.

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Hopefully, a lot of other people willcome to the same conclusion.

Simpsonocity:

Homer: America, take a good look at your beloved candidates. They're nothing but hideous space reptiles. [unmasks them] [audience gasps in terror]

Kodos: It's true, we are aliens. But what are you going to do about it? It's a two-party system; you have to vote for one of us.

[murmurs]

Man1: He's right, this is a two-party system.

Man2: Well, I believe I'll vote for a third-party candidate.

Kang: Go ahead, throw your vote away.[Kang and Kodos laugh out loud]

[Ross Perot smashes his "Perot 96" hat]

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by Jayjay
Don't you just love First Past The Post?

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Indeed. I remember being taught about proportional representation in middle school (of all places) and it was perfectly illustrated by the teacher with 2 votes to pick a 'president' for the class. With the FPTP system there were loads of people who weren't happy with the choice, but on the second vote almost everyone was happy. That has stayed with me ever since. Shame it's not going to happen any time soon.

Um. Hi there. Very much agree about Steve Bell, man is wondeful, generally. And FPTP is the cause of a lot of ills in the world, the farce that was the American Presidentials for starters. All is not lost, though - since devolution in GB, FPTP is not the only system on the UK mainland. Wales and Scotland have a certain number of FPTP representatives, and then a certain number of top-ups voted in by PR. It isn't ideal, but we're getting there. Unfortunately, democracy is never going to be perfect, as there will always be some people whose views aren't represented/put into place. But we are getting there, I hope, however slowly...