Alternative Vote reform made simple: AV, RSVP, RIP

 

I’ve heard a lot of talk recently about AV. What exactly does AV stand for?

It’s simple. AV for stands for Adult Video. This means that it is unsuitable for children, and may contain strong language, violence and/or sex.

So why are we being asked to vote in favour of AV? 

The AV you are being asked to vote for next month is another sort of AV entirely.

Added Value?

Not yet.

Audio Visual? Anti-Viral? Aortic Valve?

No, no, no! Something much more exciting. Alternative Vote!

What’s that?

It’s simple. It just means swapping the ‘X’ on your ballot paper for numbers. You can rate the candidates how you see fit, so if your favourite doesn’t win, you can still have a say. 

So what’s the point of that?

It’s simple. An election winner would need the support of a majority of the people. So if no candidate commands 50 per cent support, the last placed candidate drops out and...

Sorry, you’re losing me. Remind me, what were we talking about?

AV, of course! So if no candidate commands . . .

AV! I’ve heard a lot of talk recently about AV! Just jog my memory — how does it work?

It’s simple. Unlike FPTP . . . 

Don’t tell me. Parallel File Transfer Protocol!

What’s that?

PFTP allows you to send, share and access computer files and folders using any web browser and a high-speed internet connection. 

But we were talking about FPTP, which is another thing altogether.

 

More...

• HARRY PHIBBS: The AV would be a gift to the BNP
• 'Hypocrisy' of the AV backers who have changed their tune
• Fears move to poll reform 'will give BNP voters more say at ballot box'

OK. So tell me all about FPTP.  I’m all ears. 

Simple. It stands for First Past The Post. Under FPTP, you get just one choice as to who wins, and the winner is immediately elected, even if lots of people haven’t voted for him.

Sounds good!

No, it’s not good at all. Frankly, this country is crying out for AV. 

You mean, the country’s leading museum of art and design, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity?

No, that’s V&A. 

Great! How do I get into the V&A?

 

 
 

 

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First past the post. But under AV, if no candidate commands 50 per cent support, then the last-placed candidate drops out and their voters’ second preferences come into play. This continues until...

But that means I wouldn’t have much chance of getting into the V&A, especially at particularly busy times.

AV is all about introducing a fairer system. The way it works is simple. You simply place a number in the box next to...

You know what I really feel like? A biscuit. I really feel like a biscuit. You don’t happen to have a biscuit on you, do you?

Just let me finish. This process continues until one candidate has majority support. 

Hang on. Doesn’t that mean that those backing the loser get two votes, and those backing the winner have to think again?

Not at all. Or not in the way that you mean. Or not in the way that you mean when I take the trouble to tell you what you mean. What you really mean is, does everybody get a vote that goes further? And the answer to that is a resounding Yes. Let me start again. It’s all very simple. Under AV...

Vehicular Access? Don’t tell me about it! I’m all in favour of stopping thoughtless drivers parking their cars and blocking the roads, causing any amount of traffic jams and preventing ordinary, decent, hard-working...

No — Alternative Vote!  

Oh. Remind me.

AV is all about giving voters more say. It redresses the balance. It allows ...

So who supports it?

Simple. A cross-section of MPs.

And who doesn’t support it?

Simple. A cross-section of MPs.

So how am I possibly going to make up my mind?

Simple. If AV is your first choice, simply put ‘1’ in the box next to it. If you would prefer the present system, simply put a ‘2’ in the box. But if, on the other hand, you would prefer another system entirely (PR, RIP, STV, STD, RSVP) simply put yet more numbers all the way down the page, and hope for the best.