Didn't entirely scan this, but I find it interesting that if we go back two leaders in the UK, Tony Blair only 'came out' as publicly being an active Christian after leaving office, as he knew it would count against him. It's kind of strange how two countries so close as the UK and US can be so different on such a major issue.
I just wish there was a way to not HAVE a leader of a party, or have one but not have his identity made public, so people had to vote on the policies of the party, and not whether he might be looking a bit too foreign or might not believe in the same God as me, or what sexuality or class he is, or whether I think his hair was born in the US, or an illegally imported exotic species. (yes, I'm talking about Trump).
People were sold the idea that AV was too complex for the regular man in the street in the UK, can you imagine how many millions of people would get brain strain if they had to make a decision based on the policies, rather than whether they like red or blue?
Hell, I'd disguise the entire thing, in the style of one of those old 'blind taste tests' Pepsi ads, and have 'Party A is commited to *list of policies* whereas Party B is going to *list of policies*. Make people actually read and think. No campaigns either, they're allowed to write and formulate their list, and then hand it in, but not allowed to spend any money promoting Party A or B.
Unfortunately I believe it would lead to the lowest voter turnout in world history.