UK AV Referendum Poll

[Јas]

Of course.

AV would result in constituencies having representatives that enjoy, on the whole, more broad support from their constituents.

[Јas]

It could shelve demands for proper reform

I don't get the 'hold out for a better electoral reform theory' of voting No. (I assume such people have serious qualms voting at just about every election, presumably not voting a lot, instead preferring to hold out for their dream candidate to register to run in their constituency.)

At any rate, I think the holding out for something better is rather optimistic thinking. Under what circumstances would a No vote help lead to more ambitious electoral reform being on the table within the next generation?

This was the system Labour were ostensibly inclined to adopt - if it's rejected, then they're unlikely to pursue it at any stage (or I'd presume, any change at all).
The Conservatives want no change at all.
This is the best the LibDems could get, and it seems they're unlikely to get another swing at things.

[Јas]

Also, I wish the Yes camp would stop saying the Tories use Av for their leadership contests. They don't. They do multi-round voting...

Which is basically just time-inefficient IRV, no?

[Јas]

Antony Green has been blogging quite a bit lately about the referendum. He seems to be quite perturbed by claims from some of the No advocates.

[Јas]

Why so tight? Turnout differential with the Scottish and NI elections might help yes a bit compared to the polling, but really this thing ought to be over.

Just on the NI point, it will be interesting to see the results, but I'm not sure it can be presumed how NI will vote.

DUP and UUP are against AV.
SDLP, SF and Alliance are in favour.

Not that I have any idea how the party positions will impact upon things as it doesn't seem to be a campaign the parties are particularly concerned about.

[Јas]

That's weird, considering how splintered the unionist vote is I'd presumed they'd support it - obviously not.

See Lewis's comment.

See also the comments by Mark Durkan (SDLP) from the AV Bill debate, on FPTP encouraging the maintenance of a sectarian electoral divide for Westminster elections in NI.

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