2015 UK Politics Megathread

[Steamtopia]

I know it's silly, but the one concern I have remaining about STV (and specifically STV - I'd oppose any system that would involve party lists) is that it'd in all likelihood ruin election night. But oh, well.

It'd ruin it? How so?

[Costa Fierro]

Good thing MMP isn't being suggested by.. anyone, as far as I know. STV is the suggested method going forward.

Well, objectively, MMP is better because it gives the smaller parties better representation at the expense of larger parties. It would mean Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives lose seats but parties like SNP, Plaid Cymru etc. can get access to more seats and a greater voice in the House of Commons than they would have under the current system, or indeed, STV.

If memory serves me correctly, Northern Ireland and Scotland already use STV for their Assembly/Parliamentary elections.

[Steamtopia]

Good thing MMP isn't being suggested by.. anyone, as far as I know. STV is the suggested method going forward.

Well, objectively, MMP is better because it gives the smaller parties better representation at the expense of larger parties. It would mean Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives lose seats but parties like SNP, Plaid Cymru etc. can get access to more seats and a greater voice in the House of Commons than they would have under the current system, or indeed, STV.

If memory serves me correctly, Northern Ireland and Scotland already use STV for their Assembly/Parliamentary elections.

SNP? More seats? Let's not.

[Vyvland]

Good thing MMP isn't being suggested by.. anyone, as far as I know. STV is the suggested method going forward.

Well, objectively, MMP is better because it gives the smaller parties better representation at the expense of larger parties. It would mean Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives lose seats but parties like SNP, Plaid Cymru etc. can get access to more seats and a greater voice in the House of Commons than they would have under the current system, or indeed, STV.

If memory serves me correctly, Northern Ireland and Scotland already use STV for their Assembly/Parliamentary elections.

That's actually not true. The SNP are on course to win 9% of seats on a 5% vote share in this election. So they'd be the biggest proportional loser of any party under MMP - because they're winning 90%+ of the FPTP seats in Scotland on less than 50% of the vote.

The real beneficiaries of MMP would be the Greens and UKIP, and potentially the Lib Dems if they regain popularity. Or other minor parties who people feel will have a chance, like the TUSC or whatever.

[Angleter]

I know it's silly, but the one concern I have remaining about STV (and specifically STV - I'd oppose any system that would involve party lists) is that it'd in all likelihood ruin election night. But oh, well.

It'd ruin it? How so?

Considering that the electorates would be at least three times the size and that the counters would have to count the votes at least three times over, we'd be unlikely to get a single result before noon the next day.

[Steamtopia]

It'd ruin it? How so?

Considering that the electorates would be at least three times the size and that the counters would have to count the votes at least three times over, we'd be unlikely to get a single result before noon the next day.

So? Even more suspense.

[Eastfield Lodge]

May have been posted before, but hey...

[Steamtopia]

May have been posted before, but hey...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEY4Yc9WoAAhkRp.jpg:large

[Eastfield Lodge]

May have been posted before, but hey...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEY4Yc9WoAAhkRp.jpg:large

National Twat Party .

[Salandriagado]

Well, objectively, MMP is better because it gives the smaller parties better representation at the expense of larger parties. It would mean Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives lose seats but parties like SNP, Plaid Cymru etc. can get access to more seats and a greater voice in the House of Commons than they would have under the current system, or indeed, STV.

If memory serves me correctly, Northern Ireland and Scotland already use STV for their Assembly/Parliamentary elections.

SNP? More seats? Let's not.

Being as they're already going to win a very large proportion of the seats they're running in, I'm pretty confident that the SNP would actually lose seats, overall.

[Frasers]

I can confirm that the polls have opened, and I am voter No. 1 again at my polling station. To prevent influencing eligible voters on NationStates, I will not disclose my binding vote as a courtesy.

You voted for Jeremy Corbyn

[Frasers]

The degree is formally in anthropology, but at Cambridge this required him to study both archaeology and anthropology.

And anyway, I have an anthropology degree too.

Yeah I'm doing an anthropology degree but it's in the Archaeology department at uni, it's all tied up.

[Old Tyrannia]

The problem is referendums are really expensive.

well worth the cost.

That's a matter of opinion. I would say it's definitely not worth wasting that much money consulting the largely apathetic and ill-informed mob that is the British public on every minute issue. Big things like EU membership may justify the cost, but only if they are a rare occurrence.

[Frasers]

Vote in new parties that want to deal with those issues, it's not that difficult. If people choose to keep voting in the same parties, they should expect the same results.

People tried that but FPTP sort of shafted us a bit really

[Shamhnan Insir]

The problem is referendums are really expensive.

well worth the cost.

The Scottish Independence referendum sure as hell wasn't worth it..

[Frasers]

The Scottish Independence referendum sure as hell wasn't worth it..

Was for the SNP

[Shamhnan Insir]

The Scottish Independence referendum sure as hell wasn't worth it..

Was for the SNP

True, sadly not for Scotland though.

[Eastfield Lodge]

Was for the SNP

True, sadly not for Scotland though.

I don't know, a 55-45 result I think justified the cost. There was a significant independence sentiment. If it was something like 80-20, then maybe not, but that it was quite a close result says a bit.

[Frasers]

True, sadly not for Scotland though.

Ah but that is entirely subjective and down to opinion.

[Greater-London]

Bit the bullet, Voted Liberal Democrat. I'm now going to have a shower and hope that this time tomorrow we aren't talking about Farron as leader.

[Frasers]

Bit the bullet, Voted Liberal Democrat. I'm now going to have a shower and hope that this time tomorrow we aren't talking about Farron as leader.

You'll still have Clegg don't you worry.

[Greater-London]

Ah but that is entirely subjective and down to opinion.

Of course. To be honest though I think regardless of how you feel about the SNP and the independence issue things in some regards have gone sour north of the border. P

This isn't "the fault of the SNP" but this is the result of a very long and heartfelt campaign which wasn't that decisive for either side.

[Napkiraly]

Just got back from voting

[United Kingdom of Kent]

Voting cast in favour of UKIP, now the waiting game for the results.

[Frasers]

Voting cast in favour of UKIP, now the waiting game for the results.

Which Kent constituency?