Thanks, Anita, for your comments.
Re the Democrats, I re-emphasise that their attitude to PR (which suits all
components of the party) is quite different from their attitude to OCV
(which doesn't suit power brokers and horse traders in preferences).
I don't believe the coercion argument against the Electoral Commission would
travel well, as they coulr easilt argue that compulsory voting itself can
coerce you to vote for a lemon when (as is often the case) the entire
line-up are lemons. Of course against that it could be countered that the
current system forbids you to vote for the candidate(s) of your choice
without being required also to vote for the worse lemons. Disenfranchisement
rather than coerc ion would be a better word I'd think.
Is there a site somewhere for getting hold of the relevant parts of Hansard
and JSCEM? I am unaware of the Democrats' performance in that, and
especially of Andrew Murray whopm you mentioned. Alternatively I wonder if
you'd mind giving a brief summary of the role of the Democrats and in
particular of Andrew Murray so that I can do whzat I can to enlighten the
party membership.
Many thanks
Dion
