Thanks for requesting ideas from the voters regarding electoral
reform in BC. Here are some of my ideas, and opinions on what I
have heard via the media.
The present system of determining the representation in the
legislature does not reflect “the will of the
people”. This system, where the
“winner” is the person receiving the most
votes, not even 50% of the votes, and becomes the representative,
leaves large portions of the electorate with no influence on the
decisions of the government.
The change I prefer is to proportional representation, where
each political party receives the number of seats in the
legislature in proportion to the votes they receive. There should
be a minimum percentage For any seats to be given. Most European
countries set this at 5%. Israel, however, which has no electoral
districts, has a much lower minimum (? 2%) and hence is influenced
by minor parties in coalition governments more than reflects the
“will of the people”. Finland, however,
also has no electoral districts, but a 5% minimum and does have the
numerous crises that Israel has.
I believe the system should have an area representative --
someone a citizen can go to for problems specific to the needs of
the electoral district. It would be nice if electoral district
boundaries could be changed less often.
The legislature I prefer is similar to that of Germany or New
Zealand, mixed proportional representation. Some seats are for
districts and the rest are assigned proportionally. The 5% minimum
seems to work well in European countries. It may be necessary to
increase the size of the legislature to accommodate this
system.
It may take politicians one or two terms to get used to the idea
of incorporating the ideas of others into their legislation, but I
think that in the end we will have better Government. The idea of
proportionate voting or the preferential, transferable ballot is
also considered a way to improve the system. I think this a bad
idea.
It has the same problem as the present system, there is one
unique winner. The legislature still would not reflect the
preferences of the voters. With this system, as with the present,
the winner is very apt to think that people voted For his/her ideas
and forget that she/he was elected because they were
everyone’s second choice.
Thank you again for this opportunity.