The election in the UK

Today's election in the UK may be a watershed for Britain. Oh, there may be a new Prime Minister (let's hope that the dour Gordon Brown is bounced out), but the big news is that the push for proportional representation may finally get the impetus it needs for passage. That would be most unfortunate. Right now, the British electoral system produces governments that have majority support in the House of Commons. That is because there is one winner per district based upon who gets the most votes. A party like the Liberal Democrats which polls well across the country but wins in few districts gets few seats. On the other hand, a party like Labour which polls well in fewer districts but wins many gets many more seats. The net effect of the system is to keep Labour and the Conservatives as the main parties and all others as marginal. It also maens that the national government has the ability to get things done when it needs to do so. A proportional system would result in a parliament that is split between the three parties as well as the various minor parties. No party would ever be likely to get a majority. Coalition government would become the norm. That means that Britain could never be changed without wide agreement from multiple parties.

the Israeli elections are based upon proportional representation. As a result, the Knesset is filled with many different parties. Each government is a coalition that has the ability to fall apart on any issue at any time. Indeed, right now, the ability of the Israeli Prime Minister to agree to various peace plans (as if this really meant anything) is severely limited by the competing demands of his coalition partners. Is this where Britain wants to go? I hope not.