Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

So how are you voting on 5/5? Can Victor Vote Counter help?

I intend to vote, but I'm not sure I'm clear about my choice. What about you?

The Electoral Commission has produced a short(?) video to explain the difference between the two voting systems.

But I'm not sure how much that helps.........

So how what are the arguments? Campaigners in the referendum will, of course, be only too happy to explain why they think you should vote 'yes' (to use the 'alternative vote' system) or 'no' (to continue using the 'first past the post' system).

You can find out information about these campaign groups at:

Still no good? Try the quiz at who should you vote for or the Electoral Commission's booklet (attached below).

If none of that works, aaaw the hell with it, go flip a coin at random.org.

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Attachments:

England-accessible.pdf, 352 KB

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Permalink Reply by Mark B on May 4, 2011 at 7:31

I just wanted to tell you Tim that you are wrong. I am surprised at your choice. Especially that you seem to give a reason that is based on the fact that it is too complicated. (That is how I understand your "keep it simple".)

Key stage 1 of the education system has outcomes where children aged 5 demonstrate they can make choices and rank things in terms of preference. My 5 yr old certainly can.

As for the counting being too complicated as Jonathan Harri said in April If you get the X factor then you'll get AV. Personally I have never watched X factor but as a politician I am sure you have your finger on the pulse.

I like Mr Growbags pointer to the impartial summary Doc link below: As Mr Growbag says on page two there is an overall summary. Here are two of the statements on that page for people who don't download it:

"AV would uphold the principle of “one person, one vote”. Every voter would still be treated equally; each vote would count only once in deciding who is elected in each constituency."

and

"AV would not cost much to implement."

I choose those two only because they cover the main points of the leaflet the No to AV campaign were kind enough to send me. (As a coincidence they also cover two of the points Mr Cameron argued in his woeful interview on the R4 Today prog on 03 May).

If you want to see who is funding the campaigns then the Guardian has listed the major donors here. Analysis here.

63% of Yes 2 AV funding comes from two charities the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust and the Electoral Reform Society.

In contrast as Polly Curtis writes:

Among around 50 donors to the NOtoAV campaign are several high-profile City figures, including hedge fund financiers, bankers and businessmen

If you read on you see as well there are Russian Financiers. Why would they be funding such a campaign?

So, one side appears to be funded mainly by NGOs with open and public aims, and the other - the one you support - is, well, not. I wonder why there is such a difference?

AV is not complicated and I obviously am voting YES. Like John says. thanks Tim.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on May 2, 2011 at 11:55

Thanks to Mr Growbag for adding a link to his event listing of to a pdf of a briefing Reading University which he describes as "quick, impartial summary of what a change would and would not do (independent from either campaign)".

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Permalink Reply by Mr Growbag on May 2, 2011 at 14:22

... and thanks for flagging it up, Hugh. The "quick" bit of the report is the rather good Executive Summary on page 2, but for people with more time/interest there is also some commentary on how AV has worked in practice down in Oz...

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Permalink Reply by Liz on May 5, 2011 at 10:21

Whichever way you vote today, you' ve got to love this capture:

Great Polling Station Sign #Yes2AV #No2AV on Twitpic

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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on May 5, 2011 at 12:31

sensible ? that's a laugh..

if it ain't broke... It clearly is broke!! If you can get a Labour government with an enormous majority with only 35% of the vote . Then there certainly is something wrong with the system

Nice try Mr Hole..