I have always thought that if a government makes changes to the electoral system that there should be an immediate election.

Whats been suggested as a possible way forward for a lib-con coalition is a referendum on the issue.
Then everyone gets to vote on that one issue and if the country sys yes PR here we come and if they say no, then hard cheese.
That way you get away from the accusation that the party that came third (with the fewest votes out of the big three) is imposing a system that the majority didnt vote for.

Yes go with who ever offers election reform, but rather than break the coalition carry on as before. To do otherwise will make them look opportunistic and they will suffer at the next election. If they show that they are sensible and to be taken seriously it would boost them in future.

not unless the changes require an agreed referendum on the type of change by both/all parties
as required by law as no (one) Govt. can enacted electoral change without electoral consent
we live in interesting times …

hopefully PR here we come …

23.0% of the vote

8.8% of seats

It's nonsense.

PR anyone …

and just for a matter of interest
the wife and i over the last week posted just over 10,000 leaflets for the LibDems in a very hardened Conservative area
sadly the LibDems lost but gained votes …

+1

Quite right. I don't understand why people are so scared of it, there are many forms.

As for those that argue people like the BNP will get seats, well yes, but that just reflects what's happening in the country. Where they have been around they lose support once people see what they're like, Griffin's vote went down for example. IMO it's better to get people into the open and show them up for what they are than to pretend they don't exist and there's not a problem festering in the background.

I could live with a Con-LibDem coaltion, working arrangement, whatever, so long as Clegg doesn't back down on major issues such as electoral reform and so long as they get some Cabinet Ministers. It is the only workable solution I can see going by the results, in the current climate.

Laboour, LibDem and umpteen other parties together wouldn't be a workable situation in dealing with the finances.

Edit: Orrrr, Labour, Libdem a new voting system and a new election straight away.

Who the feck knows, lol.

I'd be surprised if the Cons and LibDems managed to reach an agreement. I think it's more likely that Labour and LibDems will do - Labour seem willing to do pretty much what ever it takes!!

I just really hope we end up with a PR system that reflects the true intentions of the nation as a whole.

Of the three leading parties, the two that seem to have most policy convergence are the Tories and Labour. Perhaps there should be a Tor-Lab coalition in order to keep Vince Cable out of number 11.

+1

I feel the results send a message that has failed to be heeded by the political parties: share.

That’s right: share. The electorate has said that there are near equal benefits of both parties. Why do we have to have even more damaging and combative politicking after hours of sleep depravation?

For the first time in thirteen years of voting, the candidate I voted for actually became an MP.

Is it any wonder there wasn't a winner? They all had the same main policy. Increase taxes and cut spending. The only differences were timing and by how much.

This is my point. The Red/Blue parties have both become almost interchangeable. Where once we had left or right, we now have 'What do you want to hear? I'll do it. Me me me me me.'

It's like the Futurama episode 'A head in the polls' - vote for John Jackson and Jack Johnson, of the "Fingerlican" and "Tastycrat" parties. All we get by voting Labour/Tory in this country is... nothing. There'll be no change. The mouthwash swills from one cheek to the other. Neither leader is particularly well though of abroad, and the respective chancellors are a bit of a joke, let's face it.

As a nation, we've been given the parliament we deserve.

Sadly I have to agree