Actually, it has a lot to do with the fact that I don't trust most of those who are telling us to vote NO. Cameron and Osborne for instance, two dodgy lying shysters if ever there were. And Lady Twinkletoes herself, Ann Widdecombe, she of Strictly Come Dancing notoriety (for want of a better word). But now Lord Owen, formerly David Owen of the renegade SDP party, is giving the NO camp his support. Owen says that the recent YouGov poll, which gives the NOs a 16-point lead, indicates that pro-AV campaigners are "failing" with polling day (May 5) fast approaching. The noble lord apparently accepts the YouGov findings at face value, even though the posed questions in the survey could easily distort the findings. Here's a telling example: only 29 percent of people think AV would make MPs work harder, compared with 41 percent who think it wouldn't, and 30 percent who didn't know. The mathematical assumption MIGHT suggest a majority against but alternatively could indicate a majority for if you add the uncertain 'don't knows' to the 29 percent for. Or it could indicate overall uncertainty, making it a hung response. Often with these things it's purely a matter of interpretation, and of which people actually felt like responding when asked particular questions. Also worth noting, YouGov found it necessary last year to 'update' some of its questioning in surveys after it got a response on the Scottish SNP badly wrong. Anyway, the only REALLY relevant question to the vote for or against AV is: do we want a fairer voting system? And listening to untrustworthy siren voices isn't likely to give us one.
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- http://middleagedbloke.com
- 2011-04-24 @ 10:27:20
there are lies damn lies and then statistics!
This AV vote is full of distortions by both sides! I will be voting YES. -
- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 2011-04-24 @ 11:47:24
I try not to read or consider the opinions of anybody else on this subject but to trust my instincts and I don't like AV one little bit...PR is what was wanted and this is a paltry compromise that will give the Tories advantages they don't have now by changing the boundary lines in areas...it's a sop to the Lib/Dems to keep them in the coalition...the only way first past the post or AV would work properly was if voting was compulsory but that won't happen over here...I believe it is in many other countries so why not here?
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- http://limerwiki.blog.co.uk/
- 2011-04-25 @ 08:19:36
I agree it would be hard to make voting compulsory, but it could be incentivised.
I suggest anyone who votes should be given the option of their electoral number going into a prize draw, with substantial cash prizes in each constituency.
Those morally against gambling could then opt out, but the rest of the population would be more likely to enjoy the voting experience and feel rewarded for taking the effort.-
- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 2011-04-25 @ 09:20:08
I don't see why it would be hard...if it's compulsory in other countries, and the people accepted it, why can't we do it? It would ensure that everybody had a say in who governs our country instead of, as it is now, almost a minority bother to vote, which is absurd...
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- http://limerwiki.blog.co.uk/
- 2011-04-25 @ 09:48:58
You say "if ... the people accepted it" - which is where the trouble lies. There's a tradition in the UK of some people being awkward and deliberately not doing things just because they are compulsory.
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- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 2011-04-25 @ 10:04:35
no, I said..if it's compulsory...and the people accepted it...that was not inferring an 'if' for the people, just a 'if it happens there, why not here?'...
I suppose we could have a referendum on it, being that it's a large imposition on the people...I think a lot of people would say yes to it...I should imagine lots would see it as an intelligent solution to the current apathy...depends what punishments are incurred should you fail to vote...a medium sized fine might be acceptable but not a large one...-
- http://limerwiki.blog.co.uk/
- 2011-04-25 @ 11:35:49
You don't think my idea of a "carrot" system might not be more effective?
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- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 2011-04-25 @ 12:16:15
LOL...not really dignified is it...
Would probably work but that would be seriously depressing...-
- http://limerwiki.blog.co.uk/
- 2011-04-25 @ 12:34:47
Once people got used to voting, the prizes could be reduced and eventually disappear. If you make it compulsory, all you'll do is get a lot of spoiled papers, unless there's a "none of the above" vote. Even then some will protest with a scribble.
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- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 2011-04-25 @ 12:37:18
well for those stupid enough to spoil the ballot papers, I'm sure there will be millions who won't...so for the idiot few it could be well worth trying...
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- http://limerwiki.blog.co.uk/
- 2011-04-25 @ 13:52:01
They won't be idiots, they'll be people protesting against the erosion of their personal liberty.
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- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 2011-04-25 @ 15:38:34
if you live in a democracy part of your agreement with the state would be that you vote...that's not an erosion of your personal liberty, it's taking responsibility for your own lives and who you choose to be governed by...if you don't vote, you can't have a say in anything any government does because you didn't participate...you've relinquished that right to speak out...
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- http://limerwiki.blog.co.uk/
- 2011-04-25 @ 16:22:42
Then there should be a "none of the above" option, every time.
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- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 2011-04-25 @ 18:55:26
OMG I'm growing old waiting for BCUK to load pages today!...hmmm...and my comment here is...definitely!...

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- http://middleagedbloke.com
- 2011-05-04 @ 00:17:09
But what punishment for not voting folks?

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