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No parties on ballot papers
What if we could break down party loyalties? What if candidates could only be shown by name on ballot papers so each individual condidate would have to establish their identity and what they stand for in the community. This would help independents and would also marginalise more seats.
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Comment 1 22 Nov 2007, 10:27 PM
That's a brilliant idea it would make candidates really work to be known, though you would have to ban how to vote cards as well.
Comment 2 23 Nov 2007, 1:53 PM
This is a possible solution to a symptom. But what is the cause? I would suggest it is the rules of the LP and ALP parties (unlike the Greens or Dems) to insist that members vote on party lines. One of the great differences with America (where the US clearly is a better system in this instance) is that members can vote individually and often do cross the floor. More over you often get bills co-written and nominated by members of both Democrats and Republicans. If MPs could vote individually would we have different results? (I think we would!)
Comment 2.1 23 Nov 2007, 8:44 PM
We would get results if MPs could vote independenly but there is so much vested interest in the system that is never going to happen without external reform
Comment 2.1.1 30 Nov 2007, 12:43 PM
Right follobeans. We're all working on this external reform now aren't we. A cracking pace too. Let's keep waking others up to the opportunity to come and at least add their votes!
Comment 3 23 Nov 2007, 3:29 PM
When all MPs are forced to be independent by the introduction of ballot voting in parliament, party names on ballot papers will exist no longer.
And, many members will be unchallenged at the next election because they will be behaving themselves very well1
Comment 3.1 23 Nov 2007, 4:16 PM
Love that idea ballotsmith, it is so simple and would be so effective. Could you post a seperate discussion thread for it so it can be discussed in detail please?
Comment 3.1.1 24 Nov 2007, 2:33 PM
Thanks Matt, I will as soon as I can - no time today.
Meanwhile you could check www.ballotsinparliament.org
Regards & best wishes.
Comment 4 30 Nov 2007, 12:38 PM
good one blakey. Definitely on the right track