AV or not AV. That is the Question... Now, What's the Answer?

So, at long last, you might think, Munguin’s Republic is facing the CHOICE that must be made next week.

So, how will Tris vote, and why?

Well first off, considering the enormous cost involved in mounting the referendum across the UK, and taking into consideration that all of us are over 18 years of age, I would have appreciated it if we had been treated like adults and given a proper choice of the options for reform. It wouldn't have cost any more.

I’m insulted that we are only allowed to choose between a bad system and an even worse one. The real choice has been made for us by our “betters”; those educated at top English schools and universities, and clearly in a far better position to make important decisions than we are. So that given, is it worth a vote?

Well, yes. It’s always worth a vote. (If you don’t use it they may take it away.) And although the choice is small; (AV is imperfect, it’s majoritarian, it’s unfair, although marginally LESS unfair than FPTP), a journey of a thousand miles starts with a small step, and if you never take that first step, you’ll certainly never take the last one.

People have argued that if the result is “Yes”, then we’ll not get an opportunity to vote for proper PR for another 25 years. And, if we vote "No", we will? Anway, it's not necessarily true, if we care enough.

People have said that AV is a bad system and that countries which use it want to ditch it. But the Tories and Labour use it to elect their leaders. David Davis would be leader of the Tories if they had used FPTP. Why is it OK for them but not good enough for us ordinary people?

They say it’s too complicated for us to understand. Ranking candidates 1,2,3,4,5.... is too difficult? They apparently use the system on the 'X Factor'. How thick do they think we are for heaven’s sake?

They say it will be the end of strong government. So? Strong government based on as little as 33% of the vote, 22% of the population, is good? In many constituencies most of the people do not want their MP. If you are a Tory living in Dundee, for example, your vote is always wasted. You, literally, don’t count and might as well stay at home. If nothing else AV will mean that votes do count.

They say the small parties will have an unfair representation; the BNP could end up with a seat. Well, it’s unlikely, but, so what? You either ban the BNP and its likes, or you accept that there are people in your country who have this kind of view. Why should they be allowed to HAVE the view, but not have it represented?

It’s the British way? [Tris chuckles, then bursts out laughing hysterically and has to be slapped.]

I suppose that for many it comes down how you feel about the party leaders, who have invested so much in the campaign (despite promising not to). Although I should dislike Clegg for being a turncoat, surprisingly I just feel sorry for him.

I reserve my real anger for Cameron who is unfit to be prime minister. In “these difficult times for hard working British families up and down the country”, he’s just not up to the job. He is incompetent and his government is likewise. He has no perception at all of the misery his determination to pay down the deficit within one 5 year parliament (and go into the history books) is causing, or if he does, he simply doesn’t care.

He’s either very stupid or plain evil. He doesn’t see the misery his policies are causing. I do.

Of course, all the polls suggest that the "No" vote has it, but as I’ve said over other polls recently, we shouldn’t take anything for granted especially in Scotland, which usually votes differently from England.

So, these are my motives for voting "YES" to change.

What about you?