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Right, so how can this chap win by-elections when the main parties don't even bother showing up? Utter farce.

Electoral reform ● National by RedRobinRed · 🏷️ 1. Concerned Citizen · Local · 1 month ago
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What’s the point of an election if the major parties can just boycott it and let anyone win? Seriously, it’s a bit of a laugh, isn't it? If the big boys can’t be bothered to turn up to defend their turf, then we need to make them. It’s not fair on the voters who do bother to go to the polling stations, is it?

My proposal is simple: if a candidate wins a seat with less than, say, 40% of the vote, and the other main parties have fielded candidates but didn't get a decent showing, there should be an automatic re-run. This time, though, the major parties have to put their best people forward, no excuses. None of this "we’ll focus on the general election" nonsense. If you’re going to stand, you’ve got to fight for it.

RedRobinRed 🏘️ County Councillor Local

🦀 The People's Pincers Party

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Discussion (5)

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What would happen in a situation where a candidate wins with less than 40% of the vote, but the main parties had already fielded strong candidates and still lost, would the re-run still be triggered in that case?
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That’s a good point. If they put up a fight and still lose, fair play to them, I reckon. No need for another go then, is there? Just means the voters have made up their minds, however much the parties might not like it.
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What happens in a by-election if one of the "main parties" decides fielding anyone is too much of an effort, and the winner still gets over 40%?
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I was at a local council meeting recently and it was staggering to see how few people turned out to vote, which got me thinking about voter apathy, and I wonder if this proposal might inadvertently add to that problem by potentially forcing voters to go to the polls twice in a short space of time.
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I remember Brenda had to vote in a local election last year where only one candidate stood. It was all a bit pointless, felt like a waste of time printing the ballot papers. If the main parties can't be bothered to field someone, then really, the voters shouldn't have to go through the motions twice either.
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Mock the policy. Not the person. Community principles →