sa国际传媒

Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Referendum is like buying pig in a poke

Historically, referendums that ask citizens to choose between first-past-the-post and proportional representation have failed when voters have been provided with a clear comparison between the two.

Historically, referendums that ask citizens to choose between first-past-the-post and proportional representation have failed when voters have been provided with a clear comparison between the two. For example, the first referendum on proportional representation in sa国际传媒 won 57 per cent support. But only 39 per cent voted in favour in the second referendum, when the public received details about how the voting system would actually change.

For example, Victoria would have had seven members elected for a district encompassing Victoria, Port Renfrew, Jordan, Galiano Island, Salt Spring Island, Greater Victoria, North Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Metchosin and the Highlands. Local representation would have been lost, and far from it being more democratic, some members could have been elected with as few as 12.5 per cent of the vote.

So to ensure success this time around, the 2018 referendum question has been rigged by the parties that would most benefit from change. Rather than offering clarity, three alternative PR options are being proposed, one of which has never been tried before anywhere in the world.

Only generic, esoteric information is being provided. No mention is made of electoral boundaries or other details that might influence an informed decision. In short, the NDP government, the Green Party and Vote PR sa国际传媒 are asking us to buy a pig in a poke, which is like buying a used car without checking the engine, or a house without a building inspection. Don鈥檛 do it.

John Amon

Victoria