iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Replies

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

The daft thing is that with Proportional Representation there'd be no need for this self-destructive war within Labour. It could split into its component parts - left and right - and people could vote for what they wanted. It's only First-Past-the-Post that forces these irreconcilables together.

771739418

Reality Bites @danrealitybites.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

True - but then they’d very often have to form coalitions and then have to negotiate and compromise. But at least there would be clarity on how popular their manifestos were, and they could negotiate from that clear evidence.

030

rafaelmelchor.bsky.social @rafaelmelchor.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Agreed. As ever it’s the *same old problem; rinse and repeat; funny how in opposition, they’re, in principle, all for it. Then, when in Government, it’s on the back burner once more: *“turkeys don’t vote for christmas” 🤔💭 🤷🏻‍♂️ 🌱🕊️

media.tenor.com

a man in a suit and tie with his hand on his face

ALT: a man in a suit and tie with his hand on his face

020

lazy opinion @lazyopinion.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

yes, which is why it is fair to conclude that Labour would prefer Reform win the next election than give up any fraction of power to the Greens.

030

Robin @binthemaster.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Yes! The idea that FPTP avoids ungovernable coalitions has been completely debunked by the governmental churn of the last decade.

1271

Ant ‘meeware’ Miller @meeware.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Honest question- the current info war on our democracy seems to be very much tuned to attacking FPTP. Is it an especially vulnerable system in the age of social media, more so than in earlier times? What’s the best defendable democracy in the current media landscape?

120

Andy Beck @ahbeck.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Absolutely this. Which is why it might be a good idea to let Burnham have a go. For all his allegiance (as you've said elsewhere) to neoliberalism, he's a firm believer in PR.

030

Edmund Lee @edsrlee.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

bsky.app/profile/make...

Make Votes Matter@makevotesmatter.bsky.social

And we still keep hearing that First Past the Post delivers "strong and stable" governments... 👀

000

Edmund Lee @edsrlee.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

bsky.app/profile/edsr...

Edmund Lee@edsrlee.bsky.social

Politics isn't working. It's time to call time on the broken culture in Westminster and have a fresh start with a fair voting system. Add your name to @electoralreform.bsky.social‬'s call to #MakeSeatsMatchVotes action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/3782/pe...

action.electoral-reform.org.uk

First Past the Post means millions of our votes make no difference to parliament. Add your name now to demand a fairer voting system

It only takes 30 seconds

020

viviancomma.bsky.social @viviancomma.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Its so obvious to everyone else, so why do they persist with this archaic system.

010

ArgyllanderⓋ🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺😷 @argyllander.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Crux of the matter is both Lab & Tories have benefitted greatly from the FPTP system so never change it. It nicely quashes all other viewpoints. Every 5 yrs they can have a change of faces but mostly a coninuation of existing policies. That's how the British estab, the City & big business likes it.

010

Moschops 🦕🦖 @moschops.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

We don't have PR, George.

020

Malcolm @greenman-23.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

?? As I understand FPTP vote for candidate PR vote for party if MP leaves party FPTP they still represent constituents (no by-election) PR they represent party (need for by-election) have I got that wrong?? personally I favour.... 1/2

110

Winston Smith @winstonsmith2019.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

With their majority they could get it through, but they don’t have the balls to do it.

020

M'art @mhart2025.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Now you're talking. How about putting more effort into this?

010

mlungu.bsky.social @mlungu.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

The self-destructive war would take place outside the party instead of in it, and the left would still split into 100 little parties while the right coalesce around two.

100

stefanrw.bsky.social @stefanrw.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Under PR it is very likely that coalitions would be necessary to form a government. 'Minority' views would have to be taken into account, and compromises would have to be made. That certainly would shake up English politics.

280

Elizabeth Liddle @pingu1.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

You still need a coalition to govern though

140

Timewalkproject @timewalkproject.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I think even with proportional representation there would be splits. People still vote for parties not individuals in a proportional voting system. Scottish parliament case in point. Look at parties there and seems like every party is in turmoil. It would stop safe seats & parachuting in candidates.

000

Crednes Cod Peace @crednescodpeace.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

FPTP entrenches corruption within Labour as there are always some willing to gain control of the "Labour" brand using any method whatsoever. Obviously it also entrenches corruption with all the major parties & people who are willing to accept Billionaire Oligarch sponsorship.

2292

Call me Steffie McWang @steffie-mcwang.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

George is mon boi! 🎯

000

Julie 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏴‍☠️ 🏳️‍🌈 Montoya @juliemontoya20.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

You're kind of assuming that the "Labour" party care about actually being a Labour Party, as opposed to a Tory Second Eleven that the gutter press can have elected for the purpose of painting their failures as failures of socialism.

021

Blackstar☆ @blackstar1976.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Well this is based on the received wisdom that rightwingers are in Labour because what, they couldn't stomach being a tory? I think they're actually there to hobble the left and ensure socialism cannot come to power. In which case, this will happen to every party that threatens the status quo.

010

Afat Hairyape @hairyloon.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

They have a big enough majority that they could schism and form the Official Opposition as well as the government.

010

Ray J. Hickey @prevailvoting.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

With the PREVAIL voting system people get exactly what they voted for.

000

Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Definitely better than FPTP, but much depends on who gets to allocate the leftover proportions. Anything that leaves power in the hands of party back rooms necessarily takes it away from the voters.

ourcommons.ca

010

r @recombobulating.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

giving people what they want is populism and that's Bad the only Proper system is one where an elite class sits in an ivory tower making all the decisions and nobody is allowed to to disagree with them

000

Hoody McExtremist @hoodyindy.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Labour would rather have absolute power for five years then have fifteen years of the worst Tories imaginable than share power for one second with a more progressive party.

030

Adam Wisent @adamwisent.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Seriously only the #English could be #stupid enough to think they had a democracy using the same #Fraudulently #Corrupt #FirstPastThePost electoral system as #Belarus .Plus have a second parliamentary chamber full of #UnelectedPeers on £361 per day.And an #InheritanceTaxDodging #HeadOfState

010

Lindy Reynolds @scratchyhen.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

This is may be the case for elections but somebody would still need to herd the cats to govern effectively thereafter.

010

Jeremy Ludlow @jeremyludlow.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

But those 'irreconcilables' might then be forced together in government, and have to find some common ground to get anything done. I'm not confident that would happen naturally if FPTP was simply done away with without significant constitutional change in other areas.

000

Michael Hindley @hindleylancs.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I recall writing the same in "Tribune" in 1984.

150

Simon Lucy @lusaimon.com · 09/02/2026

Condemning us to Party Hegemony, never able to get rid of any Party. Quite apart from disenfranchising any rural or semi rural area. Changing representation forever destroying constituencies and replacing them with seats for quarter of a million. Destroying 1 vote for 1 Candidate for mediocrity.

000

Captain Easychord @suddenstars.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I think a tragic turning point in the UK was the AV referendum. It wasn't PR, but it could prevented much of this too. I, for example could happily vote green with labour as second pref.

000

HarshTech @harsh70117.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

“So basically FPTP is forcing frenemies to live together under one roof 😅 PR would at least let them live separately… and maybe vote for what they really like!”

000

chrisjshort.bsky.social @chrisjshort.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Agree. Same applies to the tories pre-Reform! FPTP and the two party system that resulted might have served the country reasonably well in the past (might) but now its a disaster forcing people to vote for least worse or tactically! We're screwed until we have electoral reform.

010

jakeinoz.bsky.social @jakeinoz.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

As an Aussie with preferential voting- it's a bloody great system- a jewel in Australian democracy- because it enables a genuine political ecosystem to emerge.

030

bill doyle @billjondoyle.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

theconversation.com/why-preferen...

theconversation.com

Why preferential voting is superior to first past the post

Australia has long had preferential voting, and it is the best system for safeguarding our democracy.

000

binaryhands.bsky.social @binaryhands.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

It has been shown whatever the electoral system it doesn't change political trends. Look in Europe. Proportional representation will not stop Reform or the far right. I do support PR specifically STV but constituency based. Both local and democratic.

000

Donnachadh McCarthy @donnachadhmc.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Also gives huge power to media billionaires... who depend on influence over floating voters in marginals..

170

charliec @sheepiefarm.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

But in order to govern, they have to come together in a coalition. Surely all that does is bring the destructive elements out into the open & pushes voters away completely.

120

Joe St Clair-Ford @joestclairford.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Starmer has nothing to lose at this point he could bring in PR and actually create a meaningful legacy for himself while also preventing a Reform government winning a majority on a minority vote share.

020

Colm @dotcolm.mastodon.ie.ap.brid.gy · 09/02/2026

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social Multi-seat constituencies would also help enormously. I can complain about many aspects of the constitutional structure of Ireland, but our ability to express ourselves politically in terms of the composition of Dáil Éireann isn't one of them.

1121

John Martin🇪🇺🔶 #FBPPR 👩‍❤️‍👨+👫🐶 Rtd🚒 #GetPRDone @itsjohnmartin.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Just like left Twix and right Twix. Left Labour and right Labour would likely come together in coalition government. Labour’s opposition to PR is blocking progressive politics. Well done Starmer!🙄

050

Stephen Morley @geraldwinstanley.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

True, but if those who consider themselves “left” haven’t left the LP by now, I wonder if they ever would do so.

010

scepticbeliever.bsky.social @scepticbeliever.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

It’s almost as if that’s the way the establishment prefer it

000

Sixes All The Way @sixesalltheway.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

The argument for PR - especially party list (the most common form employed for national elections if I recall correctly) does not only thatbut also removes the miserable consideration of tactical voting. Robust democracies, such as the scandinavian nations, all use this system.

020

Mark Sugrue 🇪🇺 @marksugrue.com · 09/02/2026

We learned Mandelson blocked labour candidates he didn't like too - which is a power he had via the FPTP system. Multi-seat PR-STV gives power to voters. FPTP gives power to party officials.

1200

londonsunshine.bsky.social @londonsunshine.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Oh I think the left has already left!

000

dotdarling.bsky.social @dotdarling.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

In an ideal world, doing what’s best for the people as a whole should inspire unity but it seems to be more about tribalism, puerile purity politics, personal ambition and greed.

010

Educate & Train Society @edtrainsociety.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Preferential is the in between option allows strategic voting & avoids the need for adhoc coalition government that PR can lead to; then the media pounces..... Then the Lords...desperately needs reform* & maybe PR based on regions? *plus investigation of too many Lords appointed to this job shop?

010

Robin-DeBowler @robin-debowler.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

fptp is the designed mechanism to assure only 1 of 2 possible outcomes occur. fptp entrenches the country into a binary choice of politics. Lets be honest it is a mass fraud against the people, enacted for the last 150 years and it really is time we insist on actual representation.

2161

David Hardstaff @davidhardstaff.co.uk · 09/02/2026

First past the post is well past its sell-by ...

000

Angela McP @angelamac.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

This is the biggest single failure of Starmer’s government - he arrogantly believes he will get five more years granted him at next General Election and is wasting the biggest and best opportunity the country will ever get to address the ridiculousness of FPTP 😤

0122

Steven @lwio.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

It will never happen because Labour are STUPID.

000

Reg @reggiehere.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 09/02/2026

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social Ever since it was taken over by liberals in the 90s, the entire point of the Labour Party has been to keep the left-wing vote safely shackled inside an ostensibly left-wing party that nonetheless still supports a neoliberal economic system. Now the left have defected […]

mastodon.social

Original post on mastodon.social

001

K Wylie @krt8rt8rt8rt8.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

New Zealand changed to MMP in the 90s and I'm so pleased.

140

Dan Hatton @only-ohm.mas.to.ap.brid.gy · 09/02/2026

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social Except, of course, that Starmer's communitarian faction is tiny, both in terms of its support among party members and in terms of its support among the general public. If it had to stand on its own two feet as a separate party it would face very rapid oblivion.

020

Peter Garbutt @petergarbutt.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Whoever you pick, whatever system, you're picking someone from the highly insular political classes.

000

Natasha @natashaeu.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Exactly. And the difference between the %vote for Labour under Corbyn versus under Starmer was minimal (32.2 vs 33.7). Yet one led to opposition and one to government.

010

Michael Havard @michaelhavard.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Waves from Scotland! As I wrote earlier it's BOFM that labour, with such a majority, haven't gone hell for leather to make changes. 1. PR. 2. HOL. 3. BBC governance. It's as if they are more concerned with preventing socialists from ever holding power than stopping the hard right!

1141

Martin Gardner @mglovesfun.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

A system that gets rid of your ability to vote for an actual person. What if I like my MP?

000

Nathan Wind @nwind.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Even preferential voting as in Australia would be a vast improvement

040

Dave @davidrghendy.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Yes but then parties of the left (or right) would have to make compromises in order to form a government while naysayers bellow "betrayal" at them. Nothing is perfect.

230

Globalidentity @globalidentity.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

hmm, Israel has proportional representation and it has allowed the far-right extremists have a powerful voice controlling Netanyahu

000

rudebwoyben.bsky.social @rudebwoyben.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

The Labour Right would disappear electorally under PR. Hardly anyone actually feels connected to those briefcase wankers.

180

coolin87.bsky.social @coolin87.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Yep absolutely.

010

💉💉💉Kumara📎Republic↙️↙️↙️ @kumararepublic.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

FPTP is tantamount to "one acre, one vote".

010

Annie Talve @annietalve.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

It works in Australia, George. Along with compulsory voting. We love it!

000

Mitch ado about nothing @mickwatling.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

The downside is that the “unpopular but necessary” legislation would be difficult to implement, such as tax increases or spending cuts.

010

Roy B ☮️ @rewerbyor.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I agree about PR but still have this nagging fear that it could propel Farage into a sphere of genuine influence.

520

DamonTheDemon @damonthedemon.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Labour havent acted like a Government with a majority. They have acted like a Government with a majority, where they have other bosses to placate, other than the people they govern. People like Blackrock. Thiel. Israel. Trump, all the scum of the pond. Us? They couldnt give a dry hump about.

020

pmf @clearlight.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

That’s what you’d do if your objective was a healthy democracy If your objective was maximising the largesse of the Epstein class and lobbyists from the genocide / ecocide industry flowing to your particular patronage network, you’d be any of the three big Racist Right parties

010