Looking at the different types of votings systems I definitely
think that we need to evolve pass the current "first past the post"
system.
Looking at the single transferable vote (STV) vs Proportional
Representation (PR) I favour PR for these reasons. The fundamental
problems with STV are:
-
it is unfair. Some peoples' votes have a far better chance of
getting representation, especially in a proposal where some voters
would still have single-member ridings like now.
-
it is complicated in terms of vote-counting. Most people want
toknow how their votes are counted to have confidence in the
system.
-
it is too complicated for voters who do not want to rank lots
of
candidates.
-
it is not proportional, especially in ridings with few
members.
-
it leads to more competitive politics (especially within
parties). This appears to discourage women from running (Ireland
and Malta, the two countries using STV, have among the lowest
number of women
elected in the world).
The other aspect I would like addressed is to get rid of the
party's choice in deciding who will be an elected members. We need
MLA's and MP's that speak for their constituents and not for their
party. Thus let the number of votes decide who will be elected and
not a political party's shortlist. Part of the problem with
politics is that a backbencher becomes just a vote that blindly
follows party law and the party leader. This will happen less if
those elected aren't beholden to whomever decided which members get
elected. Let the voters decide.
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