Canvassing.

[rhythmaning]

I was canvassed by Mark Lazarowicz, my former MP, campaigning for Labour's candidate in a forthcoming council by-election (caused in part by the SNP taking the seat he had). We had a short chat, bemoaning the lack of proportionality in the Westminster electoral system, and the confusing mixture of systems we have in Scotland. (FPTP for Westminster seats, semi-proportional "additional member system" for Holyrood, and the proportional "single transferable vote" for local council elections.)

I'm quite impressed that he could be bothered going out canvassing in the rain after being turfed out by the electorate.

Afterwards, I realised I should have thanked him for being my MP for much of the last fourteen years. He always responded very respectfully and positively when communicated with him, and we seemed to share similar views despite different party allegiances.

Comments

[andrewducker]

I'm fairly sure that AMS tends to be more proportional than STV most of the time. The greens wouldn't have gotten any seats in Scotland at all under STV (as they only got about 4% of the vote, and you need to get 25% of the vote to get seats in 4-seat regions).

AV+ would be even moreso, of course.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

I must admit that I forget the effect of all the different systems! And I'm interested. I can't imagine those who frankly aren't bothered actually think about it all...