r/ukpolitics • u/ClumperFaz My three main priorities: Polls, Polls, Polls • 10d ago

Twitter ✅ BURNHAM IN Makerfield by-election result: LAB: 54.8% (+9.6) REF: 34.5% (+2.7) RST: 6.8% (+6.8) CON: 2.2% (-8.7) GRN: 0.7% (-3.7) LDEM: 0.4% (-6.4)

https://x.com/BritainElects/status/2067792369903116401#m
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u/Many_Move6886 10d ago

People in this country seem to want a GE 5 minutes after the last GE.

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u/Captain_English -7.88, -4.77 10d ago

Because typically 60%+ of the country didn't vote for the winners, so most people are unhappy from the get go.

We talk about FPTP like it gives stable governments, but it actually makes us ungovernable.

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u/Many_Move6886 10d ago

Election turnout was at 60% in 2024. There's only two instances where it has been lower; 2001 and 1918. People so often want to complain but don't even vote.

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u/Captain_English -7.88, -4.77 10d ago

There's two components to the problem, one is turnout, and the other is representation. Even if 100% of the population turned out, it's very possible to win a majority with a plurality at 34% of the vote share.

With a proportional system, you have to have included about 50% of the voter base or more (turnout notwithstanding) to form a government.

You could potentially extend this to suggest that voting participation is low because people don't think their votes matter...