Electoral Reform: The Risks of Unintended Consequences

The Independent Commission on the Voting System is required by its terms of reference to observe four principle conditions. These are “broad proportionality” in any scheme proposed; “the need for stable government”; “an extension of voter choice”; and “the maintenance of a link between MPs and geographical constituencies”. It is highly unlikely that any voting scheme can at once and the same time meet all these criteria.

Nevil Johnson - Monday, 26th October, 1998