see that about a hundred Labour MPs plan to join Conservatives in voting against changing the electoral system from ‘first-past-the-post’. Senior figures from both sides are already meeting to discuss the matter. As a result of this alliance we see the likes of William Hague and John Prescott in bed together. Former Labour MP Joan Ryan said: “This issue is more important than party politics.”
As one who sees most issues as more important than party politics, I find it interesting that these people get together on an issue which is likely to affect their personal welfare directly. Perhaps they should consider tackling other issues, of national importance, in similar mode, giving their whips a day off occasionally. Fat chance!
Boadicea's Chariot 
BW, good evening.
I for one am delighted by this news. I have no objection to having a full and reasoned discussion about what voting system we should adopt for our Parliamentary elections but I see no need for my country to be bounced into choosing between only ‘First Past the Post’ or ‘Alternative Vote’ as early as May 2011.
We have to vote in local and, in some cases, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish elections on the same day. There is absolutely no chance that we will have a proper debate in the time scale envisaged by the Coalition.
This is too important a matter to be rushed through, in my opinion.I personally refuse to believe that somebody like William Hague is driven by anything other than a proper concern for our present Parliamentary electoral system and the need to be very careful when tampering with it. I can’t speak for Lord Prescott, of course.
I too am glad that they are going to join forces and vote against a change in the voting system, but I also agree that the statement, “This issue is more important than party politics” is symbolic of the moral desert that is what we call, ‘democracy’.
It could be considered good news really, but I somehow feel you are not entirely convinced about this, Tom.
Ah! Well! As someone who can really make a vote count I’m definitely in favour of any system that allows people to direct their vote to a ‘second choice’.
While ‘they’ are debating changes in the electoral system, perhaps ‘they’d’ like to reduce the terms to four years and sort out the constituency boundaries…
But, since the first of those ‘reforms’ would also restrict their access to power (and perks) and who cares how many people are needed to vote in one MP I doubt that anyone will bother.
I personally think that MP’s and all elected people should be answerable to their electorate and not the party.
I am against party politics as it clashes with the real world and wants of the people.
I also believe that MP’s should not be allowed to change sides mid term, if they are voted in as Labour/Tory/ or whatever then decide to change, they should go back to the ballot box and ask those who voted them in if they still want them.
Araminta, as a resident of France I have no interest in the British electoral system. My concern was with the remark that THIS is more important than party politics. I can think of many issues that are, but the party view prevails as ‘representatives of the people’ become mere lobby fodder.
A plague on all their houses! They’re all like corkscrews!
Unfortunately, the system of government which has evolved in the UK (and elsewhere) is adversarial. The party system, whereby one group of people ally themselves against another group is is anti-democratic and works only for the favoured few and to the detriment of the electorate. One side proposes and the other side automatically opposes. It does not make for government in the best interests of the Nation.
It is not surprising that people on both sides of the political divide find sufficient common ground to unite on those occasions when they feel that their control of power might be threatened.
On all other occasions, such as the economic mess that threatens to overwhelm Britain, one is reminded of Nero and violins…