The only thing that has been proved by this referendum on changing the electoral system used for Westminster elections is that referendums are a hopeless way of deciding these matters. Neither the politicians nor the press have distinguished themselves during an affair that’s been distinguished by the mendacity of almost all the protagonists, the hysteria of partisans on both sides and the sheer quantity of lumpen stupidity on display. It has not been an edifying or comforting process.
Today alone has seen a spectacular amount of hyperbollocks. Andrew Sparrow’s Guardian live-blog is grim reading. As ever the Yes campaign’s sanctimonious suggestion that AV will cleanse all that’s supposed to be wrong with British politics is on full display. It won’t and it’s silly to claim it will just as it’s silly to suggest AV eradicates safe seats (it doesn’t) or that if elected by AV MPs will work harder (they won’t) or that the expenses scandal wouldn’t have happened had AV been in place in the past (a gallingly preposterous notion).
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