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June 19, 2009
Oxford academic forecasts a change of voting system for Westminster
In a debate to accompany the launch of his book 'The New British Constitution', Vernon Bogdanor last night predicted that MPs would be elected by proportional representation within 10 years.
In the book he analyses the way the British constitution has changed and points out the strengths and weaknesses of what he sees as currently being in place. Greatest of these weaknesses is the lack of popular involvement in politics and he gives four methods to strengthen the democratic process, one of which is a move to a more proportional system to elect MPs.
"We need an electoral system which makes every vote count", he said and pointed out the undemocratic nature of safe seats and how they lead to voter apathy. "You could call a donkey conservative in Macclesfield and it would win!".
Vernon, who is the Professor of Government at Oxford University, also wrote the introduction to the very useful 'PR Myths' quick guide. Access it here
Posted by philconnor on June 19, 2009
Comments
10 years? Maybe, but I think it may take a little longer than that -- http://cabalamat.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/fptp-is-dead-it-needs-to-be-buried/
Posted by: Cabalamat at June 20, 2009 03:21 PM
PR is a failed system. It strengthens parties' hold on parliament and keeps independents out. It also makes hung parliaments more likely, resulting in coalitions between parties that cannot agree. i.e., schlerosis.
Bad idea. No thanks.
Posted by: Ky at June 23, 2009 06:30 PM
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