is it fair

[MercladUK]

That UKIP could get 14-18% of the votes yet only get 2-3 seats and SNP may poll around 5% and get 50+ seats?

Surely now we must have electoral reform

[MicrosoftBob]

Isn't that just criticising FPTP because you don't like the result ?

[TestMangler]

That UKIP could get 14-18% of the votes yet only get 2-3 seats and SNP may poll around 5% and get 50+ seats?

Surely now we must have electoral reform

If the SNP got 50 seats from polling 5% nationwide then it might be. They'll be polling around 50% of the vote in the areas they are standing. Puts a slightly different complexion on it, doesn't it ?

Did you think forming a majority government with 30 odd % was more democratic then ?

[MercladUK]

If the SNP got 50 seats from polling 5% nationwide then it might be. They'll be polling around 50% of the vote in the areas they are standing. Puts a slightly different complexion on it, doesn't it ?

Did you think forming a majority government with 30 odd % was more democratic then ?

No I don't.

[minestrone]

If the SNP got 50 seats from polling 5% nationwide then it might be. They'll be polling around 50% of the vote in the areas they are standing. Puts a slightly different complexion on it, doesn't it ?

Did you think forming a majority government with 30 odd % was more democratic then ?

Vote Nicola, get UKIP

The SNP would vote to introduce proportional representation at Westminster, Nicola Sturgeon confirms - UK Politics - UK - The Independent

[MercladUK]

Isn't that just criticising FPTP because you don't like the result ?

Not at all...

But surely as we move away from majority Lab/Con governments, then smaller parties should be proportionally represented rather than FPTP.

Think its crying out for reform no matter who gets in

[TestMangler]

Vote Nicola, get UKIP

The SNP would vote to introduce proportional representation at Westminster, Nicola Sturgeon confirms - UK Politics - UK - The Independent

If one agrees with a system of proportional representation, then one can't complain about what the populace votes for.

If, on the other hand, one supports FPTP, one can't then complain about a party they like or don't like getting a disproportionate number of seats.

What do you see as being a 'fairer' system ?

[MercladUK]

If one agrees with a system of proportional representation, then one can't complain about what the populace votes for.

If, on the other hand, one supports FPTP, one can't then complain about a party they like or don't like getting a disproportionate number of seats.

What do you see as being a 'fairer' system ?

One is not sure.
One where your vote counts would be a start

[DodgyAgent]

That UKIP could get 14-18% of the votes yet only get 2-3 seats and SNP may poll around 5% and get 50+ seats?

Surely now we must have electoral reform

Something sensible from you at last

[Dominic Connor]

Proportional Rep is a dodgy option

A big problem with PR is that you have party lists, who gets to be MPsis chosen by the party machine, so in pure(ish) PR there is an ordered list.

So the bigwigs are the safest (no possibility of an "up for Portillo" moment) and they work their way down. In UK terms, about each 30,000 votes would gift a seat to a party, but voters would have zero choice in which individuals they were.

Also the current crop of PR countries which include Italy, Greece, Israel et al aren't exactly shining examples of good governance.

A this point, someone will say "Germany", which is a rich, peaceful country, which is true.

Then one is rather forced to point out that the Weimar Republic that brought the Nazis to power was PR.