This Illegitimate parliament needs AV

Published: Friday, July 2nd 2010

 

The Electoral Reform Society has welcomed news that the promised referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) will be announced next week. 

News comes as research from the Society has indicated that 2010 has produced MPs with the weakest mandates in modern political history.  More than 2/3 of current Westminster residents cannot claim consent of even 50% of their voters, thanks to the arbitrary “winner takes all” nature of our elections.

 

The Alternative Vote would ensure that all MPs enjoyed at least 50% support of their constituents.

Ashley Dé from the Electoral Reform Society

“The General Election gave the majority of our MPs power without a real mandate. This is an historic low. It makes a mockery of the constituency link and has left us with barely legitimate parliament.

“First-Past-the-Post fails each and every test its advocates set up. We now have the chance for a real national debate on a system that has clearly failed the British people. Politicians wax lyrical on the supposed benefits of First-Past-the-Post. Let them make their case, but the people will decide.

“The Yes campaign is gathering steam.  We urge the British people to use this unique opportunity to vote for a new, modern politics that is fit for purpose in the 21^st  Century and vote YES to AV.”

Contacts

For more information, comment or interviews please contact Ashley Dé on 07968791684.

Mandates in 2010

 

	MPs	% Parliament
Majority Mandates	216	33.23%
MPs with over 50% of vote
Minority Mandates	434	66.77%
MPs with less than 50% support of vote
40-50%	322	49.54%
30-40%	104	16.00%
Less than 30%	8	1.23%

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Mandates across history

 

	Minority Mandates	% of Parliament
1918	97	14.5
1922	174	30.2
1923	203	35.2
1924	124	21.5
1929	310	53.8
1931	34	5.9
1935	58	10.1
1945	174	29
1950	187	29.9
1951	39	6.2
1955	37	5.9
1959	80	12.7
1964	232	36.8
1966	185	29.4
1970	124	19.7
1974 Feb	408	64.3
1974 Oct	380	59.8
1979	206	32.4
1983	336	51.7
1987	283	43.5
1992	260	39.9
1997	313	47.5
2001	333	50.5
2005	426	65.9
2010	434	66.77

 

The 2010 general election sees the lowest proportion ever of MPs elected with the support of a majority of voters in their constituency (in 2001, 2005 and 2010 no MP obtained a majority of the electorate).

The sheer number of MPs with minority support, and the upward trend in recent years, is – at least from the voters’ point of view – straining the connection between MP and constituency. In all respects other than the provision of casework, the constituency link is as weak as it has ever been. A majority of MPs speak for their constituents despite the fact that a majority of those who bothered to cast a vote did not do so for the incumbent. While before 1974 this was relatively peripheral, it has become an ever more important feature of the political landscape since then.

AV requires that an MP will have at least a qualified majority of local voters; there will be times that the final vote for the winner will not be half of the ballots cast because of ballots that do not transfer, but most MPs will have a proper majority under AV. A majority of voters will get some degree of support, and therefore have some degree of ownership, over the MP – the constituency link should not be a one-way relationship. AV will enhance the constituency authority of the MP as well.

About us:

The Electoral Reform Society is campaigning to change the way we choose our politicians. We believe that a fair voting system will improve our democracy, allow politicians to better represent you the voter and help them to tackle the serious issues facing our society.  Above all we believe that fairness, accountability and a real choice for voters should not be compromised. www.electoral-reform.org.uk