In an effort to bypass the democratic deficits of our first-past-the-post electoral system, activists from the national campaign group, Compass, are encouraging tactical voting to beat as many as five Oxfordshire Conservative MPs at the next election.
This outcome can only be achieved if voters put their preferences aside and get behind the single party best placed to take the seat from the Conservatives. We all want to vote with our hearts. But if we get a proportional voting system in the next government, this will be the last time our preferences need to be sidelined.
Compass volunteer strategy
On 27 January, Compass Oxfordshire hosted its inaugural conference in central Oxford to prepare volunteers for the 2024 election.
The event focused predominantly on forming and implementing strategies to ensure the election of “progressive” candidates across all Oxfordshire constituencies.
The group has identified Henley and Thame, Banbury, Witney, Bicester and Woodstock, and Didcot and Wantage as key targets for the upcoming election.
The importance of tactical voting
Compass Oxon emphasises the importance of tactical voting to avoid vote splitting and warns that a divided progressive vote will almost certainly enable a Conservative victory in these areas.
Claire Jones, a member of Compass Oxfordshire, said:
“Despite current polling, the progressive parties have a mountain to climb and every seat counts.
“To secure real change, Oxfordshire’s voters must work together by voting tactically where needed to avoid splitting the opposition vote and instead help the best placed progressive party candidate take every seat possible.”
Engaging with the public
In the coming months, attendees from the meeting will establish ‘Election 24’ stalls in the key towns of these priority constituencies.
The objective of these stalls is to engage with the public, sharing their democratic concerns about voting preference, highlighting the necessity of tactical voting and providing information on which party to support for maximum tactical impact.
If you are interested in joining Compass Oxon please email oxfordshire@compassonline.org.uk
Editor’s note: This item is based on a press release from Oxfordshire Compass
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