Could an electoral reform pledge help Corbyn win in 2020?

[Hibbyradge]

I may be off the pace here, but it seems to me that more and more people are viewing the FPTP system as unfair and undemocratic.

I realise that Proportional Representation risks giving a platform to extremists (and quite possibly the Monster Raving Loonies), but do you think it would be a popular policy for Labour to adopt?

I think it might just make the difference.

Of course, whether they would do so or not is an entirely different matter.

[NYHibby]

We've already had a recent referendum on voting methods and the result was that people don't care. This issue is not a vote winner.

If you really want to research this, I'm sure you could find polling from the last GE, if not more recent, showing this is near the bottom of the list of issues by importance.

People may be less happy with first past the post, but you don't win elections by campaigning on things people don't care about.

[Holmesdale Hibs]

I may be off the pace here, but it seems to me that more and more people are viewing the FPTP system as unfair and undemocratic.

I realise that Proportional Representation risks giving a platform to extremists (and quite possibly the Monster Raving Loonies), but do you think it would be a popular policy for Labour to adopt?

I think it might just make the difference.

Of course, whether they would do so or not is an entirely different matter.

I think most voters would be in favour of it while also not caring too much. I'm not convinced it would give enough of a difference to give Corbyn a chance of winning the election though.

Maybe the Monster Raving Looneys might surprise a few folk if we had PR. After the painful referendum campaign, voting for them would be the ultimate FU to politics. With things like Boaty McBoatface happening it wouldn't surprise me if they got a seat or 2.

[marinello59]

Given Corbyn's predictably poor performance during the Euro campaign I hope we never get the stage of him actually contesting a general election. a severe case of 'Follow me, I'll be right behind you.'

[Future17]

Having undertaken some work which was (loosely) related to this before, I got the impression that electoral system reform is an important issue for those who don't vote for the big parties, for obvious reasons. Those people would probably support it if offered in a referendum, but wouldn't change to voting Labour at a General Election in order to achieve it.

If it were to be offered in a referendum, those people would also be up against a large number of people whose interests are protected by maintaining the status quo.

[RyeSloan]

Having undertaken some work which was (loosely) related to this before, I got the impression that electoral system reform is an important issue for those who don't vote for the big parties, for obvious reasons. Those people would probably support it if offered in a referendum, but wouldn't change to voting Labour at a General Election in order to achieve it. If it were to be offered in a referendum, those people would also be up against a large number of people whose interests are protected by maintaining the status quo.

There was a referendum and the result was as you described. To be fair it was a hamstrung vote from the start but none the less...

[High-On-Hibs]

Farage has more chance than Corbyn if the English political tone is anything to go by. Scrapping FPTP wouldn't make Corbyn any more likely to be the next PM, he just isn't viewed as somebody with any credibility what so ever.

[Holmesdale Hibs]

There was a referendum and the result was as you described. To be fair it was a hamstrung vote from the start but none the less...

A lot of people used that referendum to punish Clegg for going back on his tuition fee pledge. Some folk cared so little about the question that they thought this was the best use of their vote, fair enough I suppose. At least it showed politicians that such u-turns are unacceptable. I do think the vote would have gone the other way if it happened es when Clegg was still popular though.

[marinello59]

A lot of people used that referendum to punish Clegg for going back on his tuition fee pledge. Some folk cared so little about the question that they thought this was the best use of their vote, fair enough I suppose. At least it showed politicians that such u-turns are unacceptable. I do think the vote would have gone the other way if it happened es when Clegg was still popular though.

Most people just couldn't be bothered. The turnout was well below 50%.

[Holmesdale Hibs]

Most people just couldn't be bothered. The turnout was well below 50%.

That too, it's a shame people care so little.

[High-On-Hibs]

That too, it's a shame people care so little.

What are politicians doing to make people care more? The truth is, they don't want many people to care. The only voters they want are the one's who are simply happy to go along with the status quo. They don't want people who want real change to vote.

[Future17]

What are politicians doing to make people care more? The truth is, they don't want many people to care. The only voters they want are the one's who are simply happy to go along with the status quo. They don't want people who want real change to vote.

That's just lazy, made-up/repeat what you've heard in the pub bollocks.

What are politicians doing to make people care more? Putting aside that, in a democracy, it shouldn't be up to the politicians to get people to care more about their own futures which they are fortunate enough to have a say on, they do plenty:


Holding surgeries with constituents.
Attending local events and talking to people there.
Attending public meetings.
Visiting schools, business, hospitals etc.
Campaigning door-to-door, in the streets, and at hustings at election time.
Doing interviews for local/national media.
Using social media.
And much, much more.


The vast majority of elected politicians are extraordinarily hard-working and get a completely unfair reputation due to the very apathy you've displayed whilst apparently complaining about it. I'm so used to hearing crap like that, I very nearly didn't bother replying to your post. However, this week of all weeks I don't think it's right to let that sort of harmful chat go unchallenged.

[snooky]

The elimination of every politician in the opposition parties would still not help Corbyn win an election.
He has not one chromosome of charisma. He's totally unelectable, IMO.

[High-On-Hibs]

That's just lazy, made-up/repeat what you've heard in the pub bollocks.

What are politicians doing to make people care more? Putting aside that, in a democracy, it shouldn't be up to the politicians to get people to care more about their own futures which they are fortunate enough to have a say on, they do plenty:


Holding surgeries with constituents.
Attending local events and talking to people there.
Attending public meetings.
Visiting schools, business, hospitals etc.
Campaigning door-to-door, in the streets, and at hustings at election time.
Doing interviews for local/national media.
Using social media.
And much, much more.


The vast majority of elected politicians are extraordinarily hard-working and get a completely unfair reputation due to the very apathy you've displayed whilst apparently complaining about it. I'm so used to hearing crap like that, I very nearly didn't bother replying to your post. However, this week of all weeks I don't think it's right to let that sort of harmful chat go unchallenged.

Well answer me this. Why would somebody bother to go out and vote if they feel that none of the options on the table represent their views? Because it seems to me that a large swab of people who actually bother to vote, do so to choose the "least worst option", rather than choosing an option that they actually feel enthusiastic about.

It's all well and good going to the voting booth to vote for the kind of future you want when the option is actually there to choose. But what do you do when it isn't? Hasn't it occurred to you that so many people are apathetic about politics, because they don't feel they are being represented in any way?

Before you tell me that they should get involved in politics in order to get their option on the ballot paper. Very few people have the means to do this. You don't just become a politician over night. It takes years of hard study, years that people don't have freely on their hands.

[Colr]

Surely to **** the Labour party must seize this moment to ditch the middle class lecturer and get a credible leader in who can relate to working class.

[easty]

Surely to **** the Labour party must seize this moment to ditch the middle class lecturer and get a credible leader in who can relate to working class.

Absolutely. I felt like he'd make a difference, he's been a complete non entity. Says nothing, does nothing.

[hibs0666]

Surely to **** the Labour party must seize this moment to ditch the middle class lecturer and get a credible leader in who can relate to working class.

I find it horrible to be saying it, but the labour party needs to be left to die now. It is just too fractious as an entity.

[Pretty Boy]

Surely to **** the Labour party must seize this moment to ditch the middle class lecturer and get a credible leader in who can relate to working class.

He has to go.

He's a prime example of the problems the left have when trying to relate and communicate with people who should be their bread and butter. In my flirtations with politics I've encountered hundreds of Corbyns who would make excellent leaders if things got done ny theorising around a dinner table.

[Hibbyradge]

He has to go.

He's a prime example of the problems the left have when trying to relate and communicate with people who should be their bread and butter. In my flirtations with politics I've encountered hundreds of Corbyns who would make excellent leaders if things got done ny theorising around a dinner table.

He'll be blamed for his luke warm support for Remain, but his supporters will rally round and I don't see him going anywhere for some time.

The problem Labour has is that it'll likely be John McDonnell who will replace him when the time comes. Another total roaster. If not him, then someone of that ilk.

Unless something radical changes, I don't see Labour winning an election for a long time, which is why I suggested the electoral reform idea, but I agree, it's probably not going to make much of a difference.

[Hibbyradge]

He has to go.

He's a prime example of the problems the left have when trying to relate and communicate with people who should be their bread and butter. In my flirtations with politics I've encountered hundreds of Corbyns who would make excellent leaders if things got done ny theorising around a dinner table.

http://labourlist.org/2016/06/corbyn-article-50-has-to-be-invoked-now/

"The Labour leader also defended his performance during the referendum campaign, saying his “seven and a half” levels of support for the bloc reflected the views of the electorate."

What???????????

Is he not supposed to be a leader? Is he not supposed to give direction? Reflect the views of the electorate??? FFS!

He'll be supporting capital punishment next.

[Pretty Boy]

http://labourlist.org/2016/06/corbyn-article-50-has-to-be-invoked-now/

"The Labour leader also defended his performance during the referendum campaign, saying his “seven and a half” levels of support for the bloc reflected the views of the electorate."

What???????????

Is he not supposed to be a leader? Is he not supposed to give direction? Reflect the views of the electorate??? FFS!

He'll be supporting capital punishment next.

He's just not a leader.

I'm sure he's a very nice man and I broadly agree with a lot of his principles but as I've said above his performance as Labour leader is absolutely no use to me, someone who still considers themselves a Labour voter (albeit a displaced one) and supporter.

[HappyAsHellas]

When Corbyn was elected leader my initial thoughts were that I might be persuaded to rejoin the ranks of the labour party which I had supported most of my life. It just hasn't happened for whatever reason and it's a shame in a way as the tories will be in turmoil for the foreseeable future and a strong labour leader should be able to capitalise on this.

[Colr]

Dan Jarvis would be good but he gives every impression that he doesn't want the job. Prefers his life the way it is!

[JeMeSouviens]

http://labourlist.org/2016/06/corbyn-article-50-has-to-be-invoked-now/

"The Labour leader also defended his performance during the referendum campaign, saying his “seven and a half” levels of support for the bloc reflected the views of the electorate."

What???????????

Is he not supposed to be a leader? Is he not supposed to give direction? Reflect the views of the electorate??? FFS!

He'll be supporting capital punishment next.

He'll maybe give it 3/10 :rolleyes: