The effect of first past the post voting has been that there is a party in Britain that scored a million votes across the nation in the last election - enough to deliver 30 seats to Labour and Tory candidates - yet that party didn't gain a single seat. A thorough wipeout for a million voters. The party concerned is UKIP - UK Independence Party, which works to reduce the legislative power of the EU to overrule British governments. Like the result or hate it, but oould hardly call it democratic.

Jay said "The PUP policies aren't awful" to appeal to a certain section of the voting public that is the case. I suspect the majority of the 700k would be disaffected conservative Labor voters along with the poorer section of Liberal voters, with a preference split of 54% to the conservatives and 46% to Labor, which is in line with the minor party split in general, except for The Greens which favors Labor 83/17.
It is one thing to have appealing policies, and looking at PUP policies I would think that they are fairly consistent with the general attitude of those they were trying to appeal to, summing it up, their slogan of 'Reunite the Nation' would sit well with their constituency. All this is good but, if you are perceived by your supporters as to not be trying to deliver on those policies, or failing to live up to your perceived principles, those supporters will soon abandon the party and return to their traditional choice.
I think Arjay's comment is now very much the attitude of many PUP voters; " I was hoping Palmer would do something for working Australians. It was a waste of time my voting for him." Only with Big Clive's support can the private party survive long term, and come next election I can not see that support being there. Regardless, with the present perception of the party their vote could only diminish from its 5.5% achieved last election.

You had better hope you are wrong there Pauly.

If you are right, you lot & Labor are going to be back to a small rump, when those voters return to the fold.

How does that song from Pygmalion go?

I have always been an opponent of compulsory voting. What happens is that boneheads that would not normally vote just see the one line "policies" and don't realise that there is a vast difference between vacuous promises and actual action.

The sooner we see the back of vacuous populist parties such as PUP and the greens the better.

Shadow Minister, what good would restricting voters' choice be? After all, the Liberal and Labor parties are just as eager to resort to vacuous populist policies.

Hassy wrong as usual! "you lot (Greens) & Labor are going to be back to a small rump, when those voters return to the fold. Very few PUP preferences went to Labor via The Greens. I posted the split of PUP preferences Liberal/Labor.

SM are you calling yourself a "bonehead" ? PUP will not last, but The Greens have shown steady growth over 20 years. Tough luck old chap.

Aidan, I agree

Big Clive is all steamed up with 25% of the parliamentary party, calling on Lambie to challenge him for the leadership. Lambie came back with the quote she wished she never joined the party. Hummm
The beginning of the end me thinks.