On electoral reform.
I tried posting this in reply to a comment on the previous entry, but for some reason LJ formatting is messed up on it (I think the table tags may not close fully) so LJ wouldn't let me. Weird. Anyway, to business...

"when it comes to proportional representation, isn't there a severe likelyhood of people like the BNP ending up with representatives in the House? It'll be nice to have more Lib Dems in power and forcing through a three-party system, but proportional representation will allow fringe parties to start edging their way in surely... That's can't be good."

Two responses, both important. a) depends on which system you choose and b) if they're getting the votes, why not?

On a) Many of us (Electoral Reform Society, LibDems and others) favour adopting the Irish/Australian Senate system of electing representatives, widely used in universities and businesses already in the UK, Single Transferable Vote. This uses larger, multi-member consituencies, reduces cronyism by giving each pary mulitple candidates and the electors the choice, but doesn't encourage very small scale extremist parties. There are a few areas of the country that may see BNP, etc MPs returned, but not many. I personally favour this system, and, while Jenkins' proposals were OK (Knights of the Shire should never have been abandoned anyway), it's my preferred system.

On b) If people are voting for extremists, surely a democracy should allow that voice to be heard and argued with? I suspect most if not all readers to this community utterlu oppose the BNP and what it stands for. But there are people out there that that do believe them; we've seen that in the last 24 hours with the vote shares they've acheived in certain quarters.

I've never bought into the "no platform" argument. They're wrong, pure and simple. Show up their lies, defeat their arguments, ensure people know the truth. That's the democratic way. I'm not a fan of running scared from issues that are difficult, whether it be racist scum, immigration or the EU. Stand up for what you believe in, make your arguments and let the electorate decide. If you're any good as an activist, they won't side in numbers with the BNP.

Electoral reform will reshape the way this country works; I've always believed this to be a good thing, we've a tradition of reforms when situations change, and if last night doesn't show that we need to change (less than 40% and a comfortable majority?) then I don't think anything ever will. The reasons opposed to reform can mostly be countered; some are valid, I disagree with them. Fear of the BNP getting seats is not valid, it's anti-democratic and an example of political cowardice on the part of our "betters".

Make Votes Count (link in previous post).