tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post114887434037207378..comments2023-10-16T15:59:02.445+01:00Comments on NEIL HARDING: Polly Toynbee on Labour tribalism, PR, the press and Gordon Brown.Neil Hardinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-1149182249491704292006-06-01T18:17:00.000+01:002006-06-01T18:17:00.000+01:00Chris: "Since in the current FPTP the ruling party...Chris: "Since in the current FPTP the ruling party will always have some kind of systematic bias in their favour (or they wouldn't become the ruling party) they are unlikely ever to change to PR as this would remove that bias, and so mean they lose seats."<BR/><BR/>Well yes, obviously in the first two terms Labour cooled on their manifesto commitment on PR because it gave them such a huge majority. But this is short term thinking, in the long term there is a built in left majority in this country and so it would be in Labour's long term interests to change the system. Labour changed the system in New Zealand and that was a place that looked the least likely to change from FPTP to PR.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-1149161604550764472006-06-01T12:33:00.000+01:002006-06-01T12:33:00.000+01:00They didn't take any notice of PR in the first two...They didn't take any notice of PR in the first two terms because the FPTP system currently gives them a large advantage over everybody else. <BR/><BR/>Likewise devolution was parliaments for Scotland and Wales, where Labour has always had very strong support, but not England where they have much less support. Despite the problems that brings with the West Lothian Question. Where the tories to get in in 2015 they would create an English parliament for exactly the same cynical reasons, it would be easy for them to win.<BR/><BR/>Since in the current FPTP the ruling party will always have some kind of systematic bias in their favour (or they wouldn't become the ruling part) they are unlikely ever to change to PR as this would remove that bias, and so mean they loose seats.chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11744649904388176606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-1149113822531725242006-05-31T23:17:00.000+01:002006-05-31T23:17:00.000+01:00John Reid?! Eek. Although you have to admit, it wo...John Reid?! Eek. Although you have to admit, it would be fun to watch as he roamed the streets at night, looking for any liberals, Greens and socialists to lock up. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-1148997500172453522006-05-30T14:58:00.000+01:002006-05-30T14:58:00.000+01:00I'm not sure Brown is going to win votes, that is ...I'm not sure Brown is going to win votes, that is my main worry. He is too associated with this government and that could be difficult for him to shake off. Also as we all know he has not got the right image. I know that shouldn't matter but unfortunately it does. Cameron is pulling in the female vote just on his image (he is offering them nothing in policy terms).<BR/><BR/>When Blair does go, and I am hoping he lasts till December 2008 (if only because I hate Thatcher so much I don't want her to hold her record of longest serving PM in modern times) then the debate hopefully will happen.<BR/><BR/>The latest Guardian opinion polls suggests that most Labour party members like Blair more than Brown. When it comes to the contest, it is by no means sure Brown will win it, if Blair does last into 2008, a new young (hopefully more radical) candidate could come through very quickly.<BR/><BR/>Although someone like Michael Meacher won't win, he has opened up the policy debate by stating he would increase the minimum wage to £7.40. This is the sort of thing we need to be talking about. I believe it is a vote winner.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-1148978930696195032006-05-30T09:48:00.000+01:002006-05-30T09:48:00.000+01:00No offense to Milliband, but I think Brown is the ...No offense to Milliband, but I think Brown is the best successor and the better for the electorate. Milliband can wait his turnPaul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-1148899556683189092006-05-29T11:45:00.000+01:002006-05-29T11:45:00.000+01:00NeilDo you think there is any chance of a debate i...Neil<BR/><BR/>Do you think there is any chance of a debate in the Party as to its future direction and leader? i suspect Blair will ensure his successor is Blairmk11.<BR/><BR/>Polly says Brown may be different once he actually becomes leader. trouble is a lot of us thought Blair might be more radical once in power .stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.com