This article is part of a debate hosted by Compass on tactical voting. You’re warmly encouraged to join the debate at http://compassonline.forumchitchat.com/

Theodore Hesburgh who died this week called voting a ‘civic sacrament’, and I think he was right. It seems to me, that if we are to put our trust in anything it should be democracy. Tactical voting, far from instilling the faith and engagement we need for reform goes a long way to cheapening the process of election. Let’s call it what it is, a vote against our principles and a false answer to the question of the ballot. For a great many, something about tactical voting just doesn’t ring true. Now not everyone will share this view. It’s likely a number of people will choose to vote tactically of their own volition. What would be inappropriate though is to do anything as an organisation other than offer objective information to allow people to make their own decision.

It isn’t just an emotive argument against tactical voting though. There are a number of pragmatic concerns especially relevant to the coming general election where a hung parliament looks the most likely result. Chief among these is the fact that national share of the vote is likely to be a significant consideration in deducing who has the legitimacy to form the next government, and indeed which policies should be adopted in the event of a coalition. More than this though, national share has a profound consequence for the long term future and rhetoric of all the national parties. For example, if the Green Party were to lose its Brighton seat it is quite conceivable that they could claim an upward trajectory based on an increased national vote share.

Now there will no doubt be those who cry foul of the electoral system we are stuck with in any consideration of tactical voting. On this it is important to note that a context of widespread tactical voting provides a shaky platform for reform of any kind. Take open primaries, an idea that many tout as a solution to voter disengagement. In this scenario the logic of tactical voting would suggest that people should vote for the worst possible candidate to represent policies they dislike. This is more than just scaremongering too, in 2010 Republicans in South Carolina are alleged to have manipulated the Democrat’s open primary to select convicted felon Alvin Greene, a candidate who failed to turn up to any rallies or raise funds.

The sentiment of voting should be one of hope not negativity. It should be an act that gives people a stake in society and their community. It shouldn’t be a calculated decision or one that leaves you feeling uneasy on your way home. So here’s a simple message, vote for whoever you think would be your best local MP, then lobby them for change.