On Tuesday, I appeared on BBC1 to talk about my thoughts on the election and predicted that there would be a hung parliament. Unlike the Tory Party I believe that this provides us with an opportunity. It means that there will need to be a degree of compromise if any two or more parties are to work together to form a majority in the House of Commons. This in itself will mean that all parties will need to listen to each other to find a way through the current ambiguity. For more information on what a hung parliament could mean for the country then do check out this.
Most importantly a hung parliament provides the biggest mandate to bring about change and electoral reform. Many of us have wanted to see a form of proportional representation introduced for some time and have been frustrated about the lack of progress. Also it would be wonderful to have a parliament with representation from minority parties in particular the Green party. I, for one, was heartened to discover that we have our first Green MP in Brighton.
Over the next few hours, the Conservatives and Lib Dems in particular are going to find themselves engaging in negotiations with the hope of making a backroom deal. What I am going to ask you to do is to take five minutes and have your say on electoral reform by letting senior Lib Dem politicians know how you feel here. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so don't miss it.
That's really funny Kate you are the first Brit I've heard you has expressed this view. It's exactly what I think. In NZ we no longer have first past the post we have MMP - proportional representation. It has brought a greater degree of negotiation and puts a safety valve on any one faction/party going to any extreme in policy. Maybe the Coalition is exactly what modern Britain needs to move beyond this yo-yo effect of blues for five years then reds...?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly and have written to all the Lib Dem MPs. Thanks for this, Kate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Vix and Corrina. I too have written to all the Lib Dem MPs even though they did not get my vote in the election because I believe passionately that we need change and that it will only come when we have a more representative parliament.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't want to see is an end to constituency MPs because that does bring a certain amount of accountability. There are different types of PR. Vicki I don't know much about the NZ system but does it use a list system for selecting MPs or a constituency method?
I can't quite remember Kate. I think we vote twice - once for the party and once for the local (list) member if that makes any sense. There's a BBC article on it here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8665835.stm
ReplyDeleteI have to say I was involved in the promotion of the MMP system when it was introduced in NZ and I think it has turned out well. In effect it means that everyone gets a say, indeed sometimes the third party have considerable say in the political direction
Thanks for this, The sooner it is all sorted out the better!
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree Kate. Personally, I think having a hung parliament is quite an exciting prospect. Perhaps we'll see all the parties working together for the good of the country and moving away from the bear pit mentality that is the House of Commons.
ReplyDeleteHi Tawny it is great to see a new face on the blog and fun having comments so many days after the post. I'm glad a decision has been made and so quickly when you think how far apart the two parties were to start with.
ReplyDeleteJustine I couldn't have put it better myself and I do so hope that the spirit of co-operation is a genuine aspiration of Cameron's and not just a political nicety. Time will tell.