By Elections Feb 2024

But that's just it: We haven't had a proper majority government (in vote terms) ever. We've always had rule by the biggest minority and I consider that neither strong nor democratic.

I'm not sure what you're describing. Under FPTP whoever wins an election is the candidate or party who polls the most votes. If that's not democratic I don't know what is. I accept PR may look attractive, but for the reasons I mentioned above, I think people would quickly realise it was a huge mistake.

But I have to say, outcomes may be different if the electorate took voting more seriously. In the 2019 general election 33% of the electorate didn't bother voting, in the 2021 local elections 64% didn't bother voting. 

PR as implemented in wales simply spreads the seats round the top parties.

PR if implemented as the Liberals defined it in 1974 (when i was 17 and they came looking to say what they stood for) would return at least one real very right wing person and at least three real communists a collection of tree huggers and far fewer SNPs but rather more Welsh UDI’ers and probably one Meibion Curnow.

None of them would be attached to a constituency (so give the very right wing person the seat with the most blacks and islamics, so they can get to see what it’s like for a white man in Diane Abbot’s seat)….


What could possibly go wrong. Oh yeah abolish the house of lords too

I don’t think so

What is being pointed out is that three or four parties in FPTP give governments with over 51 percent of the seats who MAY have barely 30% of the total votes cast, and in my personal view forcing people to vote will not change that significantly…. Except perhaps the party demanding the compulsion will probably not gain the votes on papers spoiled ‘none of the above you fascist (add your own expletive)

Well yes quite possibly. Overall FPTP is a system that has served us well, it's not perfect but in my opinion a damned sight better than PR.

The advantages of a PR electoral system

Moving to proportional representation (PR) in the UK may offer would give minority parties and independent candidates a better chance of winning seats in Parliament.

The current First Past the Post electoral system is considered unrepresentative, as candidates can be elected with a very small share of the votes while all other votes cast in the constituency are wasted.

PR ensures that the parties would have to appeal to their core supporters, rather than a small number of so called ‘swing voters’ in marginal seats.

It could be argued that PR delivers fairer treatment of minority parties and independent candidates

Under PR fewer votes are ‘wasted’ as more people’s preferences are taken into account

PR potentially offers greater and more-representative choice for voters.

PR may encourage turn-out and reduce apathy.

PR rarely produces an absolute majority for one party, however, it could be argued that PR ensures greater continuity of government and requires greater consensus in policy-making.


The disadvantages of a PR electoral system


Under FPTP, MPs serve the constituency they campaign in. This makes them more inclined to tackle important local issues.

PR can potentially provide a route for extremists to force their way into the political mainstream: under a FPTP electoral system this would be unlikely to happen.

Some would say that PR produces ‘weak’ coalition governments rather than ‘strong’ majority governments, which arguably can lead to indecision, compromise and even legislative paralysis.

PR can also reduce accountability to voters, as an ousted party of government can retain office by finding new coalition partners after an election.

The adoption of PR list systems weakens the link between the elected representative and his or her constituency.

The greater complexity and choice that PR allows can put voters off voting, by requiring them to have a greater knowledge of individual and party positions.

uk-engage.org/2013/08/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-using-a-proportional-representation-pr-electoral-system/