The Labour party have a consistent record of fiddling the Assembly electoral system for their own ends. To start off with, the combination of list and constituency was brought in as a sop to the threat of a Labour one party state, but designed in order to ensure that Labour still managed single party control with less than half the vote. This has been admitted to on record by Rhodri Morgan, yet this system has let them down now on three occasions out of four.
They then (through Hain) fiddled the system again, to stop AMs standing for both a constituency and list at the same time. Due to Labour's constituency dominance, this only had a negative effect on the other parties and has cost them some very high profile and quality politicians, due to the detriment of devolution. For instance, how can it be right for the Tories to lose their leader after they were successful in the election?
Finally and just to show that many in the party have not changed, some of their activists are now calling for the FPTP system to be introduced, to ensure the Labour once again have complete control/ownership over Wales. They feel robbed that they did not manage more than 50% of the seats, even though their percentage of the vote was far less than that. This would obviously require Westminster legislation but if Labour get back in 12 months before the next Assembly election, would you put it past them to pull such a stunt?
'Standing Up for Wales'?
More like 'Stitching Up for Labour'!
A CONSEQUENCE OF CHANGE...
5 days ago
The other alternative is one I have heard suggested by some in Labour, that the list vote should be decoupled from the constituency vote. So they list seats would be apportioned according the the list vote and have no reference to constituency seats won. This is used in Andorra! Of course I'd like the system changed too, with STV and an extra 20 members - or as a compromise use the new Westminster constituencies paired up (15 Assembly constituencies) and elect 5 from each by STV.
ReplyDeleteSuch a change would make having a list system pointless. You are spot on about STV and the way of using it. What a shame that was not offered to us last week in that pathetic referendum.
ReplyDeleteThe Labour party will definately try and fiddle the system. They got 42% of the vote and 50% of the seats. I think the Welsh system is actually quite good - although, the two little things Labour did show they've no interest in creating a pluarlist Wales only a domination by Glamorgan and Gwent.
ReplyDeleteIf the Libs do go into coalition with them they'll do us all a favour if they keep PR when we go up to 70 or 80 seats.
In any case - Labour won't win the next Westminster election.