PR and the BNP

[joggerjayne]

Is PR a good idea ?

The BNP got 1.9% of the national votes.

Under PR, the BNP would be given 12 seats in Parliament.

12 constituencies would have a BNP MP foisted upon them.

Well, frankly, I think ... anyone who supports PR deserves to get a BNP MP.

[jake-the-peg]

Give the BNP a foru and they usually end up shootingthemselves in the foot.

A better anti-argument is that it breaks the link between a consituancy and the MP

[joggerjayne]

I agree, jake.

I hope there is a referendum on PR.

Then we can all vote against it.

And then the Lib Dems can shut up, and stop bleating on about it.

[jake-the-peg]

Well I'm not decided but I'm coming down in favour.

There are pros and cons but I think the pros out weight the cons.

Maybe we can drag the Tories kicking and screaming into the 2oth century ( shouldn't try too much in one go )

[bobjugs12]

JJ, like it or loathe it, the BNP are a legitimate political pary and if PR was in action, would be entitled to the 12 seats that were voted for.

(Personally I loathe them, but thats irrelevant)

[DrFilth]

bob you are just after the £50,000

[bobjugs12]

Good point DrF, I want my plane tickets and villa in the sun

[joggerjayne]

True, bob.

But, legit or not, no constituency wants the BNP.

They have a handful of supporters in each area (as do scientologists, and people who believe the Earth is flat).

Under PR, they could add together all the loony supporters from all the different areas, and claim some seats.

[jake-the-peg]

It works pretty well in pretty much every other country it can be made to work here as well.

BNP-style parties and loonies are not unique to Britain.

I'm sure France and Germany and all the rest are not populated with people so much cleverer or more able than us so that they can make it work and we cannot

[jake-the-peg]

I do however suspect some disingenuity here?

I suspect denying the BNP a voice is not your prime objection to PR

Would I be right?

[Davethedog]

I realy like the French system. You get 50% of the vote your in if not the top two get a run off. At least then everyone has had a go.

PR is rubbish and it will result in hung parliament after hung parliament.

Can anyone tell me what Italy did to solve this problem as in the 70's they had about 30 governments and anarchy.

[jake-the-peg]

Dave that Italy comeback is just rubbish

How long has Bellusconi been in power?

[joggerjayne]

It's not disingenuity, jake.

I make not bones about it ... I think the constituency system is best, and PR is stupid.

Giving seats to parties by whom nobody wants to be represented is just on of the results of PR.

My main reason is that, if you look at a political map of the UK, the country is too starkly delineated to contemplate a system where we average out the seats across the country as a whole.

Brighton might end up losing our Green Party MP !!!

[Davethedog]

Jake what did I ask?

I asked how Italy overcame the problem in the 70's thats the 1970's when pr nearly drove thier country into the ground.

It has FA to do with Berlesconi I suggest you actualy understnd what you are reading before you put both your feet in your mouth

[joggerjayne]

I have a friend who can put her toes in her mouth !

(don't ask how I know)

[jake-the-peg]

It's not because it favours the Tory party?

I'd agree with you if most people even knew who their MP was - but frankly they don't.

And those that do often complain that they hear from them every five years and never again.

Even if you do take up an issue with your constituancy MP if that issue is against their party policy you're most likely on a hiding to nothing.

The constituancy system is not fit for purpose any more than the voting system is.

Who governs the country is effectively decided by a couple of hundred thousand people.

Fixing that is much more important