Another B.C. “first” — please don’t.
British Columbian’s already voted no to changing to a Proportional Representation voting system, twice. The Province of Ontario turned it down and Prince Edward Island said no. We’d have it now if it was the best way to vote and govern.
Proportional Representation works best for parties and politicians that support it, i.e. the Green Party and NDP. Even the so-called experts agree it is not for everyone.
There are drawbacks for rural areas and significant advantages for urban centres.
I heartily encourage readers to get both sides of the story not just the pitch, ‘Well, they vote this way in Europe,’ that supporters were telling people outside Penticton City Hall during the advance poll for the recent election.
Voters under the present system can vote for who they choose and the results clearly reflect the outcome in that riding.
In New Zealand, they ended up with an interim Prime Minister who only garnered seven per cent of the vote. That said, 93 per cent didn’t vote for him but he cut a deal because he held the balance of power.
And they use the Proportional Representation voting system.
There’s nothing wrong with the way we vote now. Also, when two parties can band-together and effect the outcome to their advantage by ganging up on the third party — that’s “brown sugar.” They can have it in New Zealand, but not here please. Say no to Proportional Representation voting.
Myles Green
Penticton
