Who's Right On AV? Cameron And Clegg Set Out Their Stalls

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12498624

The issue of electoral reform and more, specifically, the impending referendum on replacing our current voting system with the Alternative Vote, has thrown up a whole host of dilemas for the Coalition.

It was an issue that was key to the Liberal Democrats agreeing to share power with the Conservatives.

But it is no secret that most Tories absolutely hate the idea. The current First Past the Post system has, in the main ensured strong majority government for many years, with very few exceptions in modern times.

And we must not forget is that what Liberal Democrats really want is full Proportional Representation. AV offers voters the chance to rank candidates for MPs in each constituency in order of preference until one gets 50% of the vote.  It is a preferential system and not a proportional one; therefore it could be argued, it is a compromise solution that neither side really want.

AV eliminates the scenario of having an MP elected to the House of Commons on as little as 25% of support from the constituents, which its supporters say can only be a good thing.

But there is always the chance that smaller, more extremist parties could end up holding the balance of power, or perhaps one or two independent MPs,  as is now the case in Australia.


The ridiculous spectacle of the Prime Minister, David Cameron campaigning against a 'No' vote in May's referendum, with his deputy, Nick Clegg, spelling out the merits of changing our system to AV, really highlights the compromises both sides have had to make in order to ensure the stable government of the country. 

Is it really a good thing for partners in government to have to agree to differ on such important issues just so that they can remain in power? 

It remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister is right to insist that the result of the referendum will not be a 'coalition breaker'.