Submission BORLE-0470 (Online)

I favour Nick Loenen’s mixed STV ‘Preferential Plus’ system [Loenen-0035]. We have to give the area of our Province East & North of Hope, BC, an equal voice in whatever type of electoral system we choose.

I do feel the MMP is a good system, but it still gives the party leader the opportunity to supply a list of names of party faithful, in plain English, toadies, that will jump to his or her beck and call. I am adamant in that we have to remove the power from the Premier’s office and give it back to the duly elected MLAs. As it is now, our laws, our polices and all other government duties/functions are formed and drafted by non-elected political appointees, in the Premier’s office, then it is put before the legislature and MLAs are instructed to vote in favour, or else. Witness the two MLAs who have disagreed with our current Premier. Both have been banished from government caucus. This is not democracy, and no government leader should have this power. After all, the Premier is one, and only one, duly elected MLA. He should have no more power then any other elected MLA. The making of our laws and policies MUST be done by our duly elected representatives, who can be held accountable by their constituents.

I am much impressed with the submission of Nick Loenen, but whatever system is recommended, it is imperative that each and every elected person must receive at least 50% of the votes cast. We must ensure that smaller parties, such as the Green Party, the Unity Party and any other party that may materialize, can have some representation if the number of voters voting for them justify such inclusion. This can be done by setting a threshold percentage of the popular vote, and should not create any insurmountable problem.