I am opposed to the current electoral system and favour MMP. I am
not in favour of STV and even less in favour of the 'Preferential
Plus' proposal by Nick Loenen. [1 page]
Submission Content
I favour mixed member proportional representation (MMP) with a
reasonable minimum percentage lower threshold to get a seat. Reasons: The many countries around the world where this
system is now used have a much better record of fairer
representation while preserving some local representation. They
also elect more women and minorities.
I am strongly opposed to keeping the system we have. Reasons: The number of seats won should closely reflect
the percentage of votes cast for that party. Clearly that is not
the case now. With 58% of the vote, the BC Liberal Party got 98% of
the seats in the last election. The system we choose should not
allow this to happen. It should guarantee that the 42% of the
people who did not vote Liberal are politically represented in the
legislature. Clearly this system does not do that
consistently.
I am very strongly opposed to the single transferable vote
(STV) system. Reasons: In other countries (Malta and Ireland, for
example), this system has not worked consistently, and certainly
does not improve representation of minority groups or women (who
are 50 percent of the population!)
I am even more opposed to the "preferential plus" system
proposed by Nick Loenen [Loenen
0035]. Reasons: This system seems like it will guarantee a
one-sided, un-representative government in perpetuity,
incorporating nearly all the disadvantages outlined above.
We need a fair system in BC, one that learns from the experience
of other countries who have successfully made the transformation to
mixed member proportional representation! We cannot continue with
the system we have, nor should we choose a system that will further
decrease the democratic representation in this province.