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AV contains FPTP within it: a new argument for #Yes2AV

As a #Yes2AV supporter, I am sometimes asked this question:
'Will there be an option, in AV, to just vote for one party when not wanting any of the others in at all?'
The answer is YES. Under AV, if you simply place a '1' next to your favoured candidate (rather than a cross), then you are voting as if it is FPTP (the current system), and that is completely allowed.
In fact, there is a very important point here: It really is unnecessary for FPTP-lovers to oppose AV at all. FPTP is 'contained within' AV. FPTP-supporters can simply vote using a '1' instead of a cross, and could lobby for everyone else to do so too. There really is no need and no reason for them to oppose the new system...
It would just be nice if they were to let those of us who would like to rank candidates by preference to be allowed to do so... It is really rather illiberal of them to stop us from doing this, when we are perfectly happy for them NOT to list candidates in preference order (below '1') if that is their preference...

Comments

Imogen said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
12 February 2011 at 17:12
Imogen said…
I believe the legislation allows a single X on the ballot paper to count as a 1 next to that candidate. You can be nearly certain that case law does.

Here's a key point with AV it allows voters to be honest. It does not force them to invent preferences or deny them splitting the vote & letting in a candidate they didn't want at all unlike FPTP that if FREQUENTLY decided by whether a 3rd or 4th party not in contention has soon. e.g. the Conservatives in Oldham East & Saddleworth or the Lib Dems in most Tory-Labour marginals
12 February 2011 at 17:14
Rupert said…
Agreed, Imogen! Thanks for your wellput comment.
12 February 2011 at 17:31
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