A system involving some workable form of proportional
representation should be used, to ensure that a political
organisation that records a significant share of the vote gets a
corresponding share of the seats. The legislature would then be a
truer representation of the views of the electorate. There would
likely be less outright majority governments, leading to policies
and legislation that are better balanced, as opposed to the
polarized politics that currently occurs.
I hope that it would lead to the elected members working in a
more constructive fashion, maybe even in my lifetime. I also see
some form of proportional representation leading to increased voter
turnout, as citizens could see their vote actually having value,
rather than feeling so-and-so is bound to win, so what difference
does my vote make? The bottom line is, the sooner we find
something -- anything -- to avoid the ridiculous results
of the last couple of elections, where a party can end up with an
inordinate majority of the seats in the legislature with less than
half of the votes, the better. To the Citizens'
Assembly I say good luck, and make the most of this
fantastic opportunity to shape the political process in BC, and
hopefully the rest of Canada.
|