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(meeting on) electoral reform

 
 
luminocity
13:41 / 18.06.01
The following text is part of an email I was sent by www.callfordemocracy.org.uk
They are part of the front end of a group pushing for electoral reform; you can find more info at www.makevotescount.org.uk

>
The outcome of the election has
really demonstrated the need for voting reform, with the government getting a
landslide in Parliament, when for every five people that voted Labour, 7 voted
for other parties and eight abstained.
Make Votes Count, in association with the Guardian, are holding a public meeting
to raise awareness of our cause while this outcome is still fresh in peoples
minds. I am e-mailing you to invite you to attend (if you are in the London
area), and to ask you to pass the infromation on to anyone you think might be
interested. The meeting is being held from 7pm on Tuesday 26 June in the Lecture
Hall, Centrall Hall Westminster, Storey Gate London SW1 (nearest tube
Westminster, disabled access possible). The speakers are John O'Farrell, Polly
Toynbee, Roy Jenkins, Billy Bragg and Stephen Twigg with David Lipsey in the
chair.
Entrance is free - but do let us know if you need a ticket.
John O'Farrell will be signing his new book 'the best a man can get' from 6.30pm
and a refreshment kiosk will be open from 6pm. To reserve a seat phone 020 7928
2076 or e-mail info@makevotescount.org.uk
>

Now some questions... if anyone has any answers.

Are any Barbelithers in London able to pop in and report back?
Is anything really going to change because of this campaign, or will it be ignored? Labour certainly look unlikely to benefit from a new system. Do you think that the proposed type of change is good?

Does anyone know how a more representative voting system could actually work? We have a bunch of requirements for the new system, but I haven't heard of a decent implementation yet. How should it be done?

Sorry I can't answer any of these myself, but I hope someone finds this interesting.
- luminocity
 
 
No star here laces
13:56 / 18.06.01
I am definitely going, and will report back.

My main proposals for a fairer system would be:

1) A dual first-past-the-post and PR system, like in the scottish parliament, which gives people both a locally elected mp to protect their constituency interests, and a representative parliament.

2) A removal of the system of having a 'government' comprising only the MPs from the winning party.

3) MPs would propose legislation, if more than a certain number of MPs vote against it, it goes to referendum, to be conducted electronically.

This system, I would propose, engages the electorate far more than the current system by protecting their interests as constituents as MPs no longer have a party line to toe, and therefore no conflict of interests between party and constituency. Furthermore it allows the electorate to participate more fully in national matters making politicians more experts in government than demagogues. Finally it also makes it far harder for quangos and lobbyists to influence government policy when any legislation can be easily derailed and brought to a popular vote.
 
 
big city deserter
19:29 / 21.06.01
I recieved the same e-mail and am Looking forward to a report on the meeting.

Big love Sochet
 
  
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