The AV Game is Lost

I despair. Or, if it makes any of us happier, I give up. When even a chap as intelligent as my friend Daniel Korski completely misunderstands everything about the Alternative Vote I can only conclude that the game’s a bogey. It’s done and First Past the Post will be with us for at least another generation.

That’s fine. Elections have consequences and all that. Nor is AV especially brilliant. Then again, nor is FPTP or any other system. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. I take a fairly disinterested view of it all. The Yes campaign, however, has been utterly inept. All that need be said in favour of AV (perhaps all that can be said) is that it ensures all MPs attract at least grudging acceptance from a majority of those constituents prepared to vote. Since commanding a majority in the House of Commons is what’s usually required to become Prime Minister it might seem logical for that notion to trickle down to the constituency level too.