The Doorstep Pitch
How to explain the McNamara Cascade Protocol to voters in under 30 seconds.
“One person, one vote, zero wasted ballots. Big parties get only what they actually earned, and spare seats cascade directly to local independents and community voices.”
The 30-Second Doorstep Conversation
“How many times have you voted for someone just to keep another party out, or felt your vote was wasted because a local independent or smaller campaign didn’t stand a chance?”
The McNamara Cascade Protocol (MCP) fixes that in two simple stages:
Result: Every single ballot paper helps elect an MSP, tactical voting is dead, and politicians must build consensus on issues instead of ruling from the top down.
The 3 Core Pillars (For Leaflets & Literature)
1. End Tactical Voting
Vote for who you genuinely believe in. Whether your choice is a major party, a new movement, or a local independent, your vote directly contributes to the national quota. No more holding your nose at the ballot box.
2. The Cascade Guarantee
Under current rules, independents and minor campaigns can win tens of thousands of votes across Scotland and receive zero representation. The Cascade captures every remaining seat and awards it to the highest unrepresented democratic voices.
3. Consensus Governance
No administration can steamroll controversial legislation on 40% of the vote. Governments must debate, negotiate, and win support policy-by-policy, putting power back in the hands of the electorate.
Quick Doorstep Objection Handlers
Answer: Not at all. Some of the most stable, prosperous nations in the world (like Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland) run entirely on consensus parliaments. Scotland's most constructive parliamentary periods were minority governments where ministers had to build cross-party support for good ideas rather than forcing bad laws through on a party whip.
Answer: No. A single human being can only occupy one seat in parliament. The MCP applies a strict 1-seat maximum to independent candidates. Any surplus votes beyond what they need to secure their seat are excluded so other candidates and community campaigns can enter the chamber fairly.
Answer: The current system draws arbitrary regional boundaries and uses a two-ballot system that encourages cynical tactical voting and party list-gaming. The MCP uses a single, straightforward ballot where every vote anywhere in Scotland carries identical mathematical weight.
Answer: It couldn't be simpler: you place one single cross next to the candidate or party you trust most. You don't need a degree in math, you don't need to rank ten boxes, and you don't have to figure out tactical voting pacts. You vote once, and the protocol handles the fairness.
Equip your campaign team with the full mathematical proofs and legislative text.