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Submission DOBSON-1379 (Online)

Submission By John Douglas Dobson
AddressSalt Spring Island, BC,
Organization
Date20040824
CategoryElectoral system change
Abstract
Preferential Plus vs MMP: I would like to have both local representation and to remove party influence.  There is no perfect system but, Mr. Loenen has put forward by far the best proposal from my point of view.  [1 page]

Submission Content
Many have reacted to an email sent out recently to come to the rescue of MMP. I am, or was in this group because I thought that the purpose was essentially the same as the Citizens' Assembly, that being to find the best system to replace our terrible FPP method. It appears now that there is an agenda in this group to have a plain MMP (closed list) system, and the email was acted on, I think, by many without checking the proposal that they were criticizing, that of Nick Loenen, (see Loenen 0035, Loenen 0875).

I would like to have both local representation and to remove the party influence. Any system that allows the party anywhere near the influence they have now. A closed list system keeps the reigns in the party leaders hands, is totally unacceptable to me.

I did give a presentation for Mixed Proportional with an Open List, and I would add to that that the Party Leader, should be selected by the elected caucus and from within the caucus. By having the leader selected by the party at large, he / she is above the party, and has undue influence, and powers of discipline. Instead I would propose something like a Chairperson, who could easily be removed by that caucus if they were found to be going well off course  (Remember Lady Margaret Thatcher).

I have read Mr. Nick Loenen's Proportional Plus proposal, and find that he has found a very flexible system which makes selection of party representatives much more democratic.  It removes much of the party influence and does encourage the MLA to be far more accountable to their Constituents, and less accountable to the party.

There is no perfect system but, Mr. Loenen has put forward by far the best proposal from my point of view.

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