Comments on: Make Votes Count forum

By: Garry

Garry — Sun, 08 May 2005 16:35:17 +0000

Bob, that’s a valid point of view although it’s not one I share. The reason I tend to get steamed up about this issue is because Labour promised a referendum on it in 1997 (with a commitment to recommend a system of PR). You said “but it doesnâ€™t make it supported by the majority.” This may or may not be true but, unless Mr Blair fulfils that promise we will never know.

By: doctorvee

doctorvee — Sun, 08 May 2005 15:19:22 +0000

I’m not too sure about that. We have a coalition executive here in Scotland and there is plenty you can accuse them of. But I don’t think you can accuse them of having got nothing done.

Undoubtedly there are tensions between the parties. But this isn’t a result of PR. The Labour Party has plenty of tensions between its factions under FPTP.

By: Bob Piper

Bob Piper — Sun, 08 May 2005 15:12:30 +0000

Garry, Sorry, I don’t come this way that often, I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful and I cannot recall what you said about the 1997 Manifesto. As for Godwin’s Law, as I said, I never raised the issue of the fascist vote… highrise did at the start so I hardly think I can be blamed for introducing it. I do think PR encourages right and left extreme parties, but it is not my main reason for opposing it. I think under PR you give the elected an opportunity to cop out. If after the last election we had a government elected under PR, nothing would get done and the real balance of power would lie with those who voted for the third party. It may be attractive to those who support the Lib Dems… but it doesn’t make it supported by the majority.

By: Garry

Garry — Sun, 08 May 2005 01:50:33 +0000

Thanks doctorvee.
Bob: I’m normally an easy going kind of person and the “hee hee” was intended as such.
I guess I was a bit annoyed that you jumped thread on me before without responding to my comment about the 1997 manifesto. Was it a broken promise?
And as for Godwin’s Law, I presume you don’t really think that the introduction of PR would lead to a Hitler type government in this country. That’s why the law applies. If you really do think that, well, I think I might move to Germany.
Now I’m going to put a smiley face to signify that I am not personally attacking you, just trying to have a debate on this issue.

It doesn’t mean I’m childish though.

By: doctorvee

doctorvee — Sat, 07 May 2005 23:51:54 +0000

"Grow up!" I like that! From a person who in the past on this blog has taken every opportunity to avoid the debate in hand and instead indulge in petty name-calling and personal attacks. I'm all for open debate, but it is a bit rich of you to call on others to grow up when you are the one who usually fights dirty.

By: Bob Piper

Bob Piper — Sat, 07 May 2005 22:57:53 +0000

Garry, I’m afraid I was only following a thread where others had already referred to the voting system encouraging fascists. Therefore I can hardly be accused of raising the issue. And what is Hee Hee? Grow up!

By: Garry

Garry — Sat, 07 May 2005 00:22:22 +0000

Bob – Godwin’s law applies.
Oh dear, you lose. Hee hee.

By: A Big Stick and a Small Carrot

A Big Stick and a Small Carrot — Fri, 06 May 2005 22:22:37 +0000

The Dust Settles

I’m not going to spend much time trying to analyse the election results. It’s over. Blair won. He’s a bloody nosed, lame duck PM.

By: doctorvee

doctorvee — Fri, 06 May 2005 21:20:49 +0000

Yes, I notice that Germany has managed the past sixty years with a PR system without Nazis popping up again.

By: Bob Piper

Bob Piper — Fri, 06 May 2005 19:45:02 +0000

Yes… isn’t that what they said about Hitler? Don’t worry, we’ll show him up for what he is. Bloody good strategy that turned out to be!