Hi Ake, I'd been wondering what your position on the election would be. I agree that if turnout fell below 50% it would create an interesting situation; would the result be seen as legitimate? But in the aftermath, there is only a minority of people who have any ideas about how an alternative system could work. For me the real political work is spreading ideas, and the elections are just a means of indicating when the majority is ready to take control and organise everything democratically not just who administers the state.

I'll be casting a write-in vote, something along the lines of 'world socialism, anything less would spoil my ballot paper' which has the same political effect as not voting, but means I get a trip out, I don't end up voting for something I don't want (and getting it) - as the strategic voters will - and in some small way the democratic route for change is kept valid if people are using it.

Piers