The alternative vote is fine in theory. But politics is a practical business | Simon Jenkins

Until Stephen Fry and co deliver a voting system along US or French lines, I'll stick with the devil I know: first past the post

Electoral reformers, everyone knows, are quiche-eating, cardigan-wearing, sandal-flapping no-hopers. They are nerds who take 15 syllables to stammer out proportional representation by alternative vote, with most people falling asleep. Real men use first past the post.

Besides, everyone also knows that the reformers have no idea what they want. They profess to want...