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December 18, 2007
Clegg - leading and reforming
Close race, that. 500 odd votes in it. A simple majority was needed - no preferential voting system in a 2 horse race.
Congratulations to Nick Clegg, and heartfelt comiserations to Chris Huhne.
Whoever would have won, it was a win-win situation for the electoral reform movement, boosting the profile of two people who are committed not just to the cause but also to reaching out beyond our 'natural core' to frame the debate and arguments in a way that attracts more support, across the political spectrum. That is what we hope both Nick and Chris continue to do.
An example of Nick's work with MVC in the past is this short video he did joint with Labour MP Austin Mitchell and Tory peer Tim Renton after the 2005 general election.
(Click here if the link above doesn't work)
And, a reminder of Chris' fantastic video contribution to the reform debate, in depth interview recorded a few months back.
Posted by malcolmclark on December 18, 2007
Comments
I do not doubt Lib Dems will continue to support electoral reform under Nick Clegg and future leaders if only for the same cynical reason that the two largest parties oppose it - self-interest. However, Lib Dems should not be embarrassed by that because it is also clearly in the interest of democracy and the nation.
Although Make Votes Count is system neutral, it is worth noting that, following the successful introduction of STV for Scottish local elections and the Councillors' Commission's recent recommendation to try it for English local elections, it is becoming the leading challenger to first-past-the-post. One of the advantages for Lib Dems to support STV over other systems is that, if they wanted proportional representation only for selfish party reasons, they could accept any PR system but, by campaigning for STV, they demonstrate they want the best system for voters.
Posted by: Anthony Tuffin at December 18, 2007 09:36 PM
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