Don PR is not one system, its a number of systems which aim to produce a more representative reflection of the voters' wishes. The principle alone is infinitely superior to that behind First Past the Post. But they differ in their effectiveness to reflect voter choice. Manipulation by 'thresholds' can virtually ensure the same effective result as First Past the Post. That's to say, a House of Commons packed with the same three benefit slashing, privatising parties, but in a more reflective mix just among the three. These thresholds in a badly constructed PR system can be used to exclude all the parties that offer a real alternative just as now, so you end up with a Parliament (English seats at least) packed with a bunch of Big Business grovellers who distinguish themselves only by who's got the prettiest Leader. Anyone voting for a real alternative party (and a huge percentage did in the 2009 Euros) could be wasting their vote again, as now, if they get away with insalling a con trick variation of PR. Ian F
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