And in the lower reaches, it probably doesn't make much difference.

It can make ALL the difference. Hence the Vote Till You Boak campaign. I always always ALWAYS rank every candidate, because there's always at least one I want to make sure goes right at the bottom.

My method for STV elections is:

- person I want to win
- people I can accept winning
- people I care not about
- people I have never heard of
- known incompetents and people I detest