NEXT week, Britain goes to the polls again. This time, it could well decide how the country votes in future elections. Thanks to Nick Clegg and his failing party – we have to decide whether we want to keep the current voting system, or go for the ridiculous idea of numbering party candidates by first choice, second choice and so on. Are you confused by the AV system, do you even care? I don’t think people do to be honest, but all the same – it gives me the chance to express my thoughts on such a crucial system.
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| LISTENING: Cameron looks on as Reid gives his reasons |
Last week was a funny one, to see political rebels on the same platform as one another, promoting their views on AV. Prime Minister David Cameron shared a stage with former Labour Home Secretary John Reid. When Cameron said; ‘There aren’t many things me and John agree on,’ can you imagine what must have been going through Reid’s head. Talk about stating the bloody obvious! Cameron, Reid and the BNP leader, Nick Griffin are in the ‘No to AV’ camp. I must admit – I’m in the same camp. Yes, you heard it here first – I actually agree with something that Nick Griffin says and that makes me feel dirty inside!
The current voting system works fine. Okay, it doesn’t favour minority parties such as UKIP, the BNP, Green Party and others and it would mean another century of either ‘hung parliaments,’ or Conservative and Labour majority governments. However, what’s so bad about that and I think, after the Liberal Democrats dramatic fall from grace in the past twelve months, many feel its bad enough they are part of a coalition at the moment, let alone if they governed the country solely.
This referendum on the voting system was agreed in the coalition package last May, and was one of Nick Clegg’s critical reforms in his party manifesto. So, he stuck to one of his pledges in pushing for something. Such a shame he didn’t think the same way, when it came to tuition fees. Students always saw the Liberal Democrats as their ‘natural’ party. They were the only party that seemed interested in making higher education and University tuition fees a thing of the past. Labour introduced them and the Tories were only interested in raising them. So, when Clegg and current Business Secretary Vince Cable had their chance to rebel their point, they blew it and lost a load of staunch supporters. Clegg doesn’t seem to regret it, but he should. Last year, the Lib Dems were the crème of the crop and could have forged a major surprise in the General Election. Fast-forward twelve months and the party has been battered at numerous by-elections, looks set to be thrashed at next week’s local and council elections and isn’t very liked within society. Maybe ‘Yes to AV’ is a fairer voting system – but is it necessary? Politics might be in a complete mess nowadays, but I think it would be in a worse state should ‘Yes to AV’ be passed.
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| UNPOPULAR: Ed Miliband will do well to turn around his fortunes |
Plus, if you didn’t need any more convincing about the ‘Yes to AV’ being the wrong idea, Clegg’s biggest supporter is the Labour leader Ed Miliband. Ed Miliband seems to be about as popular as a micro chip! His party doesn’t seem to like him already and let’s be honest – what has he done since he was elected leader of the opposition last September, absolutely nothing! If Miliband ever got into Downing Street, the consequences could be unimaginable. What were the Trade Unions thinking when they backed Ed over David in the leadership contest last autumn! David Miliband would have given Labour a more positive future, after the backwards steps it took in Gordon Brown’s later days. In Ed Miliband, they have the wrong man in the job, when Labour could make big steps forward – especially when the coalition’s popularity is not very high in society. Miliband backing Clegg doesn’t surprise me and it convinces me enough that ‘Yes to AV’ is the wrong way to go.
In summary, the AV vote is not the most exciting thing to have ever gripped the country, but it is still valuable, especially with future elections in the balance on what happens at the ballot box next Thursday. Whatever the nation ends up deciding, it will and with good grace. I just hope you use your vote wisely and think of the possible outcomes before making your mind up.
