UK Election: The Issues

[Jubal]

Okay, some polls on the major issues of the UK election to start discussion.

1. Constitutional Reform
Options for changing the vote system.
First past the post (Current system, favoured by Conservatives)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_past_the_post
Alternative Vote (Favoured by Labour)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_vote
Single Transferrable Vote (Favoured by Lib Dems)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_transferable_vote

2. Economics & Taxation
Cut next year or later? Also, which methods of taxation do you prefer? And where should cuts fall?

3. Afghanistan
Stay for 2 years (current plan) and train the Afghan army? Or stay as long as the Afghans need us to, for the long haul with increased aid? Or for that matter get out NOW and stop our troops dying?

[Goldyrulz]

Not a lot of polls then  

[Jubal]

I'm interested as to why people are supporting first past the post voting?

[Marcus]

If we went for, say, proportional representation, we would end up with no one getting a clear majority, endless coalitions, and not a lot being done. In nearly all elections. No party has had a clear majority, so I don't think the system would work with us.

[Jubal]

Germany seems to manage. And the EU parliament. And the Scottish parliament for that matter.

Another possible system would be a 1st-ptp Commons and a second chamber elected by PR. This would mean that the lower chamber was more localised and able to deal with local issues, whereas the upper chamber represented the country as a whole better and was able to focus more on national and international scale governance.