I Could Be Persuaded (Nearly)

Courtesy of Guido

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I was hauled over the coals by one of my readers who said:  '... you follow that unreconstructed unionist Guido in his contempt for AV.'  These days I seldom read Guido but someone, knowing my like of satire sent me the link. I liked it because it was superb and for no other reason.


Those concerned with this pathetic AV referendum ( only the second in 36 years) have been woeful in substantiating their position.  Guido's point, I'm sure is felt by many.


However, in politics a small chip off a block can eventually result in a chunk and if saying yes to AV means that politics in the UK, (because the Scots already use AV), would make at least one politician work for their living then I'm for it.  The unfortunate part of all this is that I've never met those mentioned on the lists.  The same here in Scotland.  Although I have a keen interest in politics I have no idea who represents me on list votes.  Let me say I have yet to meet anyone who does - apart from those who are members of political parties.


But here is Barbazenzero's distinctive argument in case you haven't read the comments.


Make up your own mind.


AV is a tiny step forward but it is slightly less awful than FPTP. What's more to the point is that Clegg will get his well-deserved kicking in the constituency and list votes.

OTOH, a YES vote on AV would deliver two well-deserved kicks at the two main front men of the No2AV campaign: Cameron and the politician who did more than anyone to put him there, by scuppering the possibility of a rainbow alliance, John Reid.

What I don't understand is why so many in Scotland seem determined to spoil their AV ballots by leaving them blank and writing INDEPENDENCE on them. It may just hurt the L-Ds a little more than they're already due to be hurt on Thursday, but it will bring comfort to Reid and Cameron. OTOH, voting YES and writing INDEPENDENCE on the ballot will hurt both of them, since the vote will still be valid provided it doesn't identify you personally.

With the turnout in England likely to be very low, it might even be enough to grant overall victory for YES despite England voting NO. Alternatively Scotland may vote YES but be overwhelmed by English NOes. But either way would emphasise the fault lines in UK politics.

The only thing not to like is if Scotland votes NO thanks to the spoilt ballots. With the FM on record as saying he will vote YES and the SNP - whilst justifiably deploring the date of the referendum - formally recommending a YES vote, I cannot for the life of me understand why some SNP supporters want to throw away this opportunity.

And as ROGER MEXICO aptly put it on UKPR: everyone also misses the real point about AV (and for that matter STV). You can put the person you most hate, loath and despise at number 10 or whatever. Then you work your way up, numbering down, through the repulsive; the unpleasant; the mildly nauseous; the merely incompetent; the unknowns; the known unknowns; the OK in a really bad year; the people you could just about send out for chips; the sort of literate; the sort of numerate; the occasionally coherent. Then, if there’s anyone better than all that left, you give them number 1.

AV may not help smaller parties or bring proportionality, but it does allow the voter to express his or her true choice while still making the vote count. First preferences by party will also be counted and published, which may well help those smaller parties next time.


I thank you Barba because there's still time for me to think again yet I know spoiling the paper with writing independence over it will do nothing.  If people want to write independence on the referendum paper please write it outside the boxes then your vote will count.  Otherwise you spoil your paper and nobody will take a blind bit of notice.

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