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Proceeding contribution from Robert Syms (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 19 October 2010. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

I have always supported first past the post, but if I were to argue for any alternative I would go for the German system, which could effectively be used in Scotland or Wales. I think that it is a better, more logical system, which retains the link between Member and constituency. However, that is not what is proposed in amendment 62. I think that the amendment is sensible because it goes to the root of AV, which is the weighting of votes. Endless weighting of votes makes a system that is meant to be fairer much more unfair, because those who have a first choice are cancelled out. It might be fairer if someone's second preference were counted as half a vote, or someone's third preference as a third of a vote, or someone's fourth preference as a fifth of a vote; but treating the preferences equally produces lowest-common-denominator politics. It means that the least offensive people can win, and that those with the most positive and passionate politics can lose.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
516 c847 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Boundary commissions Constituency size Alternative vote Electoral register General elections Referendums Voting methods Reform Reviews
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk