Forum Topic

European Elections - Tactical Voting

The polls on 23 May uses the d’Hondt system of proportional representation for voters in England. The ballot paper will have a list of parties with their candidates, so voters put a cross next to the party of candidate they are voting for, not individual candidates. London has 8 MEP’s.The Lib Dems have consistently campaigned against Brexit and for a People’s Vote, and appear the natural choice for residents who wish to vote tactically.

John Cameron ● 2741d15 Comments

It's a horrible system that means you can vote only for a party and not express any preference for individuals — and the parties choose their own order of preference. But unfortuantely, it's the system we're stuck with.
Agree with you about the Lib Dems, though my own choice would have been Green.

Richard Carter ● 2741d

And there lies the problem Richard unless people do vote tactically - remembering that this is Europe and not a UK election - we will end up with MEPs who wish to destroy the European community as Farage has been trying to do for years.

Lucille Grant ● 2741d

John is this methodology used across Europe for this election or is a matter of choice for the 28?

Adam Tripp ● 2741d

The methodology is the same, ie proportional representation, but it varies from country to country. In England, Scotland and Wales it is d’Hondt, and in Northern Ireland it is Single Transferable Vote. My favourite system is the Droop Quota, (but there are pharmaceuticals) 💊👍🏻

John Cameron ● 2741d

Lol@John! 😸

Sue Hammond ● 2741d

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droop_quota

Richard Carter ● 2741d

🙄

Sue Hammond ● 2741d

And, although without the "nudge, wink" aspect, for the sake of completeness ...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Hondt_method😸

Michael Ixer ● 2741d

How can we vote tactically for Brexit John?  Or will you say I'm one of those ignorant people who don't understand anything?

Bunny Payne ● 2741d

The point was about voting tactically in the European election if a voter wants to cast a vote to stay in Europe. ie not BrexitThree Remain parties are contesting these elections separately and competing with each other (Liberal Democrats, Greens, Change) so their vote could be split three ways or even four if you include Labour. This creates problems for parties to convert votes into seats.The Lib Dem’s have the best chance of seats under the PR system so a voter who wants to support staying or a peoples vote should consider voting Lib Dem etc.Hope that helps

John Cameron ● 2741d

The Greens point out in their flyer that they are the only Remain party that actually already have a London MEP seat. The LibDems don't!

Adrian Pearce ● 2741d

The question would be then, will the Greens be able to hold on to the seat they already have?  I thought all MEPs are to be voted in at the May 2019 elections.  The same question would be for Farage, I expect.  Will he be able to hold on to his seat as an MEP?If the Remain camp wish to secure seats, an agreement should have been made between them.Having said this, the Brexit camp should also have come together.  We shall see.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2741d

I would have thought Lib Dem’s for remain or Brexit party for leave.Maybe the greens will do well but change/ tig do not seem to be polling well separately so Lib Dem’s safer and should pick up votes from both Conservative and labour.  On the other side one has to assume UKIP will be sidelined.  As for our two main parties still as divided as ever and totally unclear what they want to represent on this issue.

Mike Warman ● 2741d

The Telegraph's ComRes survey puts the Conservatives in fourth place in the European elections with 11%If there was a general election the Conservatives would poll their worst results in history. Farage's Brexit Party would beat the Conservatives in a general election potentially winning 50 seats. Gavin Williamson claims May had betrayed her party in the Mail on Sunday.Strong and stable...🤦‍♀️

John Cameron ● 2740d

ComRes survey according to politicshome.com is unreliable."The poll was commissioned by anti-EU pressure group Brexit Express, which is run by Jeremy Hosking, a major Tory donor who has now given £200,000 to the Brexit Party."See today's page for full article.

Katrina Black ● 2740d