The mechanics of the voting trouble me

Hadn’t really thought of that. Guess any form of preferential or alternative voting requires literacy and numeracy, which could be exclusive.

When we had the AV referendum, people were talking about it being too confusing for the voter. Other countries manage it, but I don’t know if they effectively ignore or alienate a chunk of the electorate.

Is it important that no two candidates receive the same number of votes? Every voter must have the same number, within a constituency, but could they give them all to one person, and leave the rest with zero, or is it purely a ranking exercise?

I liked the idea of giving everyone a negative vote, rather than spoiling the ballot or simply not turning up, but now I think about it, I can’t see how that would work.

Maybe you need a card with the names on one side and a series of decreasingly happy emojis on the other, and the voter could draw connecting lines? Might make counting them a pain though.

I don’t think it would eliminate tribalism

No, but it would be a big step in the right direction, I agree with agree with your points there.

Do you think it would alienate the public though?

If they didn’t have a party, with its leader, to vote for, would they take the time to get involved?