I got my Lib Dem ballot paper today to select the candidates for the european parliament elections in 2009. It’s by STV so you have to put down preferences i.e 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,etc…. After my first preference, I havn’t got a clue who these people are, still I’ll read the booklet about the candidates and decide!

STV is a fantastic system, They have it in Ireland, which also has a higher turnout and higher political party membership. There are no “safe seats” under STV, a bad MP would be replaced by a better candidate from his/her own party. It has one main drawback in my opinion, and thats the time it takes to count. Sometimes days.

One interesing thing. It says on the ballot paper that you have to be 10 years old to vote!!!

The ballot paper has to be back by 7th November.