Proportional representation

FOR AGAINST
1 Minority parties represented 1 Extremist parties represented

Coalition governments can be weak and indecisive. Italy

2 Larger parties less dominant 2 dissolved parliament 7 times in 40 years.

Compromise not always ideal. Eg. Thatcher trade union

3 Power sharing. Current system - all power to one party. 3 reforms or Blair's improvement to public services unlikely with
coalition.

All votes count. Avoid focus on swing voters in marginal "First past post" means MP's represent constituency
4 seats 4 campaigned in. More likely tackle local issues.

5 Higher turnout at polls.

Solid centrist policies. Rare to get one party majority, so

6 requires compromise and consensus

Proportional representation used by majority of world's

leading democracies.

Only UK, USA, India, Canada and France not using.

UK use for European elections and London Mayor.

Source:
Read more: http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/48811,news-comment,news-politics,pros-and-cons-proportional-representation-pr-first-past-the-post-electoral-reform-vote#ixzz0mgRXkkxm