In praise of tactical voting

Tactical voting is the love that dare not speak its name. If you're a life-long and passionate party supporter, the idea of voting for another party is like a Tottenham fan cheering for Arsenal.

But many of us don't identify so firmly with a party. We have beliefs and values, not a party card. And Britain's deeply undemocratic voting system disenfranchises millions of people who live in constituencies in which their votes will always be 'wasted' as their chosen parties will never win.

So I have very little sympathy with the idea that tactical voting is somehow dishonourable. Spare your moral anger for the scandal of the first past the post voting system. And if you're on the left, ponder the long years in which Britain's progressive parties - Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the nationalists - enjoyed a majority of the popular vote but endured Tory governments with big majorities. The days when the two big UK parties grabbed almost all the votes have long gone. 

The other reason to commend tactical voting is that it's the only way under our corrupt voting system for voters to be sure of getting what they want. Keen to avoid a majority Conservative government? Well, don't vote Labour in a seat where the Lib Dems are the only possible challengers. (The same applies, of course, in reverse in a Tory seat where Labour is a close second.) 

Some say: vote with your heart, not your head. And I totally understand that party workers would be disgusted to see their hard work rewarded with party supporters voting for the other side. But Britain's future is more important than any parties' interest. First past the post is inherently immoral. If you want change, you need to use your vote wisely. And that may mean voting for your second choice. 

Comments

[George]

Do u live in one of the top 100 constituencies where you could prevent a Tory majority? http://bit.ly/bDizHY

[Rob]

Sadly not, George!

[Centraluser]

Rob, I mentioned in a tweet the other day that I didn't agree with the tenor of your post on tactical voting. I still feel the same.

However, in an attempt to acknowledge why you might feel the need for electoral reform, I've done a bit of number crunching, which I've posted on my blog.

Some change is certainly needed - it will certainly be interesting to see how the discussions / negotiations proceed over the coming days.

Regards,

CU

[Rob Skinner]

Thanks CU. I appreciate your comments. These are fascinating times!