The proponents of electoral reform, including yours truly, are working hard to educate people on the merits of the proposed MMP system before the October 10 referendum in Ontario. The message is pretty clear; it will end false majorities, it will make every vote count, etc. etc. (You can read all about it at voteformmp.ca)
Some of this stuff is pretty hard to get your mind around, and people are rightfully confused, especially since those who are arguing against electoral reform have some valid points to make as well. I disagree with them, but I’ve spent more time than most looking at the proposed system and I think the pros vastly outweigh the cons.
But Cameron Smith’s article in the Toronto Star makes an argument that is simple and to the point, and I think could be a very persuasive in convincing Ontarians that electoral reform is long overdue.
He reminds voters about Bob Rae who instituted “Rae Days” with 56.9% of the seats and only 37.6% of the votes, and of Mike Harris who gutted the MOE and MNR, downloaded social services to cities with no funding, and the ever popular fight with the teachers with 63.1% of the seats and only 44.8% of the votes.
All of these things would not have happened if their governments had received seats in proportion to popular vote.
So this is what electoral reform will really deliver. A stop to governments with a minority vote and a majority of seats doing as they please for four years. A government that is more responsive to the majority will of the voters.
Isn’t that worth voting for?
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Yea, I say!
It’s about time that the voting public was more fairly represented in the legislature and an end was put to governments being formed, with the power to initiate major changes, in the face of the FACT that they DID NOT receive a majority of the ‘popular’ vote.
Winning SEATS in a majority scenario whilst NOT actually having the majority of the voting public supporting them does NOT serve the will of the people and can be addressed, if not perfectly, then at least to a very large extent, by the proposed electoral reform system. Vote to change/overhaul our current electoral system on Oct 10th. It’s a step in the right direction!
I second the Yea!
The knowledge that my vote will actually mean something is the greatest incentive I can think of to get out and vote. (other than prison time of course)