Politricks

[reohn2]

Is the current state of UK politricks a classic example of why parliamentary FPTP politics is an abject disaster?

[Tangled Metal]

No it's a classic example of why party politics, especially partisan two party politics, is an abject disaster. It won't be fixed by a new electoral system any time soon.

[Cyril Haearn]

Can't remember if UK€P has one MP, or none at all, soon it will be forgotten I think

With PR in Germany the extreme AfD has nearly 100 seats! Mind, all the normal parties refuse to play with them as far as possible

[Tangled Metal]

How long did the Netherlands take to form a government? What 255 days? Hmmm! Is that better?

[jezer]

PR must be the future aim. I believe the UK is virtually the only major democracy to still use FPTP.

[mjr]

How long did the Netherlands take to form a government? What 255 days? Hmmm! Is that better?

Yes. The Netherlands government represents 49% of the electorate, as is typical for proportional governments, but compared to just 37% for the UK's. The government functions continued for the 255 days of negotiation - it's not like the country was in a coma for that time. Belgium has taken over 500 days to form a government in the recent past...

[Cyril Haearn]

Parliaments are far too big, the Bundestag has more than 700 highly paid members, each with their own staff. It should really have about 600 but PR and complicated *Verrechnungen* calculations derived from the result led to this

I think the nominal size of the Westminster parliament could be 500, then this is adjusted according to turnout:
Turnout: 60% - > 300 honourable (right-honourable) members

Not much chance at all for PR, who would vote for it?

[barrym]

I often wonder why we need 'representatives' in a parliament these days. With modern tech we should be able to vote on anything and everything right from our living room.

Now the last time we all(?) voted on something the result was highly dubious. But if we had a civil service that could put forward the issues, arguments, facts etc we could make informed decisions.

I know this is a very naïve idea, but the current system isn't too clever.

Slightly of topic is the nonsense surrounding the restoration of the palace of Westminster. We should sell it to Disney, and move all MPs, if we must keep them, into a purpose designed building if one doesn't already exist where voting could take place electronically and instantly rather than the ridiculous division mumbo jumbo of today, or should I say yesterday.

Regards
Cynic[emoji53]

[Cyril Haearn]

What might be the result if The People were invited to vote on capital punishment?

[barrym]

What might be the result if The People were invited to vote on capital punishment?

They might surprise you. There's them that wouldn't bother to vote on anything, all the trendy liberals, a few ex BNP folk. Interesting, and representative?

[Ben@Forest]

Germany has gone beyond its 'absolute deadline' for a coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU, FDP and the Greens - new elections might be in the offing...

[Vorpal]

PR must be the future aim. I believe the UK is virtually the only major democracy to still use FPTP.

The USA uses it. Some local authorities have some form of proportional representation and/or open election systems, but state and national elections are all FPTP.

The USA doesn't exactly set an ideal example for the rest of the world, when it comes to politics.

[Cyril Haearn]

Germany has gone beyond its 'absolute deadline' for a coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU, FDP and the Greens - new elections might be in the offing...

New elections would be very unwise, what if the result is exactly the same? That would be a real crisis

A minority government is possible

I think a Jamaica coalition will be formed, the pollotrickians are just maneuvering as they always do. Glad I do not have to negotiate for 15 hours %-)

[Stevek76]

No it's a classic example of why party politics, especially partisan two party politics, is an abject disaster. It won't be fixed by a new electoral system any time soon.

Any time soon? perhaps not.

But it will never move from a two party system with FPTP as it biases considerably against third+ parties.

[Ben@Forest]

PR must be the future aim. I believe the UK is virtually the only major democracy to still use FPTP.

The USA uses it. Some local authorities have some form of proportional representation and/or open election systems, but state and national elections are all FPTP
.

India, the world's largest democracy, uses FPTP.