"At least under the present system the votes are counted by real people"

As opposed to AV where it's done by Martian centipedes, I imagine.

I predict that the oft mentioned 'complexity' of AV will ultimately be used as an excuse to bring in an automated counting system similar to that used on the census form. Time will tell.

I'd like to make it clear that my opinion of AV is not an indication of support for any political party, nor is it based on any canvassing, which I have avoided on a similar basis as I have the impending royal wedding.

If we had compulsory voting, then we could perhaps assess whether a change in the system might actually be fairer, but in the current situation whereby power is determined by the minority, I can foresee that minority dwindling under AV, making the process even less democratic than it currently is.

As for whether we get it or not, I expect that has probably already been decided, and that if we do, it will bring about very little change of any substance.