Our newly-minted PM, when ‘stumping’ made changing the way we vote one of his promises. He says this past election is going to be the last one using ‘first past the post.’
This is all well and good; he can study changes until the cows come home. But he dare not implement any change without the consent of the citizenry. The only way to get consent would be via a referendum. Arbitrarily changing how we vote is a constitutional matter and would be challenged in our highest court.
He does not (yet) have the divine right of kings.
Proportional representation is a tough sell. It has been defeated several times and I believe it is because the citizenry do not fully understand its benefits. Education is the key if government intends to make a change (after a referendum is held, not before.)
Most people are suspicious of change, especially when it is proposed by government.
The Liberals only garnered 39 per cent of the votes cast, but ended up with most seats. Go figure.
So, 61 per cent of voters went elsewhere and he had better keep this in mind when he ‘floats’ major constitutional changes.
B. Elmer Borneman
