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Its an interesting subject, on the one hand the current system is unrepresentative - it gives all the power to one party, however small its majority might be. For instance, only a quarter of those eligible voted for Labour at the last general election. As it is, many MPs are elected to Parliament despite 75 per cent of their constituency voting against them. But on the other hand the coalition governments that PR tends to produce are often weak and indecisive. Italy, which has such a system, has had to dissolve its parliament seven times in the last 40 years. Certainly gives us plenty to think about.
squiggle
At present the most likely result is that by votes cast, Conservatives will be first, Lib Dems second, and Labour third, but by seats won, Labour will be first, Conservatives second, and Lib Dems a distant third. However Labour would not have an outright majority and we would have a hung parliament. So Labour would have first go at forming a government and would obviously try to form a coalition with the Lib Dems. However Nick Clegg has already made it clear that he is not prepared to accept a coalition with Gordon Brown as prime minister. Therefore Gordon Brown gives Nick Clegg that position, or resigns as leader of the Labour party to make way for a new leader - this would cause a significant delay in forming a governerment while there was a leadership battle, or finds that he is unable to form a government with overall majority. If he attempted to carry on in power, the country could well sink into an economic crisis far worse than what we have been experiencing. So he would then tell the Queen that he was unable to form a government, and the Queen would then turn to David Cameron to see if he could form a coalition.
We do not know yet whether Nick Clegg would be prepared to form a coalition with David Cameron as prime minister. On the assumption that he was, then his power would be such that he and several of his fellow MPs could insist of holding a significant number of senior ministerial positions.

However there is one big problem. Nick Clegg is unlikely to accept a coalition with either Labour or Conservative without them agreeing a change in the electoral system. The Liberal manifesto shows that their preferred system of proprtional representation is that of the single transferable vote between candidates. It does not go into detail as to how this would actually work.

However it is clear that in all probability this country's electoral system will be changed significantly or this country faces a period of substantial economic problems.
El Loro
Ah well! It's the end of Party Politics...and GOOD. There are some sound and (relatively) incorruptable bods in all the main parties (I don't even consider BNP, or even UKIP to be about politics).
I am a socialist (and understand Marxism), but ever since I worked as an economic advisor to the Labour Party while they were re-branding as New Labour I feel violent every time I see Ali Campbell or Lord Mandy. Saint Vince Cable calms me no end.
suzybean
Reference:El Loro
However it is clear that in all probability this country's electoral system will be changed significantly or this country faces a period of substantial economic problems.
Not nec. so. (Modern) Germany has had many such scenarios (managed to absorb the Demacratic Republic, and be in the Euro zone) and still remained an economic power house. Greece are giving the Euro zone some flack atm, but Germany will remain sound. Garage Joe is our regular German correspondent, he'll know more.
suzybean
Reference:GJ
May I disagree?
Of course you may. What's that? The economy, futile wars and conflicts? I agree with either. I still think the Gentleman's Club/Teamster/Mafia nature of Parliament needed a good shake up. I'm sure if the Telegraph had realised how many of the landed gentry were on the dodge as well as the upstart former union barons, they would have left the hornet's nest well alone.
suzybean
Ah! The nom-doms days are numbered. Accountants/Fianance bods forget that because they have been offering more and more sophisticated services and tax avoidance schemes to their clients, regular (non-financial) people have therefore become more sophisticated in their understanding of how the money markets work. When more people 'get' stuff, more people can hold them accountable. I mean the disregard, cynicism, and sheer bloody cheek of the likes of Madoff, Lehman, and now Goldman are mind-boggling. Lord Ashcroft etc. are under the spotlight now. I think the M.P.'s expenses issue was all part of the same issue anyway.
I paid my nephew ÂĢ30 to sort out my garden, and he did a really great job so I tipped him another tenner.
suzybean

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