To AV or not to AV that is the question

[jezter]

Interested to hear some well constructed views and opinions in these final days befor the vote. I'll not say which way I am but I'm sure it'll come out if we get chatting. Of course if you dont have a view or at least a well constructed one, then just maybe we can help you.

Some starters for 10?
- Will it truely create a fairer system of voting?
- Is an election like a horse race?
- Is Rik Mayall still your favourite comedian?

[boxtops]

No
Yes
Never was

[Canary42]

No, no, no.

[karenmac60]

Better to get your second choice than your last - and it has to be better than the current system.

[albaqwerty]

Doubt it
No
No (was he ever a comedian?)

[Arti]

I'm on the fence. I can't see the full picture. To me it's like seeing a nice pair of trousers in the shop. I have to try them on to be sure.

[what..the?]

I'm against av for many reasons I won't go into but anythings that too confusing for most to understand is not the way forward, if somethings not broken why fix it. This seems to be just a creation by certain parties to play monopoly with the publics votes to stay on top forever and Fosters the UK's financial stability up the wall :) they like doing that :)

[starone]

I've already voted (postal vote) and I have voted NO. I have three reasons - they are that AV is far too complicated and even the few who bother to vote now will be put off, first past the post has been perfectly adequate up till now and it is costing far too much money which we haven't got. In any case, we are so apathetic as a nation that only a small percentage vote anyway. Somebody said (don't ask me who) that the people get the government they deserve. Sometimes I think they are right.

[what..the?]

fosters lol

[albaqwerty]

Didn't Australia have to bring in Compulsory voting because of AV?

[karenmac60]

How is it confusing? You don't have to understand all the ins and outs to be able to vote in order of preference.

[alexanderd]

Alba Australia had compulsary voting long before AV. PS I am voting no because one coalition government is enough. It does not work

[steg]

i will vote yes
some find it confusing to count past two

[what..the?]

but is not just voting in preference it's what it means when it comes to the count, people won't understand it and thats the important part

[albaqwerty]

aahh many thanks alex. I didn't know that. xx

Hope you are well (don't reply, it'll be off topic x)

[boxtops]

I'm voting no, too - at least you vote for who you want, not the sixth person down the list who you might not want at all.

[askyourgran]

No
No
No .....Was he really?

I vote for the party I want to win. I do not want my vote to be re-used prop up some wanna-be party who don't support the policies I believe in.

[karenmac60]

But if you're not doing the count, why do you need to understand?

[scotman]

depends on your definition of 'fair'
no
never was

[Arti]

NOT being funny or having a go at anyone, but when someone says (which people have, frequently) that 'people won't understand AV' do they mean themselves? If so, why not just say that. Or do they understand it, but think that only someone of their intellect is capable of understanding?

[jezter]

Mmmm...interesting.Most folk seem to be sure although I am not sure that they actually know why. I am hearing quite alot of stuff directly as it were from the campiagns. Some facts that I am aware of though include:

Australia AV requires you to vote for ALL candidates and thats what is unpopular;
No poll has been done to determine how many citizens are confused...however the No campiagn has done its best to confuse.
An election isnt like a horse race, and if it was then FPTP doesnt wait for anyone to cross a line, the horses just collaspse and the one that got the furthest is the winner.
Nobody has to vote for someone they dont want, just mark 1 against your fav if you like and leave the rest...no propping will occur.
There is no reason to assue that coalitions will not occur more often then FPTP - we got one now aint we?
'if it aint broke dont fix it' is as valid to say as 'it is broken so it needs fixing'. its all perception.


AV isnt my first peference, (thats funny no?) but if I say No then thats it, its assumed everythings just dandy and it isnt.