After the last provincial election in British Columbia, one politician suggested that because more than 50 per cent of the voters voted against the sa国际传媒 Liberals, they should not govern. Since even more voters voted against the NDP and about 84 per cent voted against the Greens, the implication was that none of the parties should govern.
Another idea was that the parties should co-operate, particularly after an election such as this, when the results suggested that no party had all the answers.
If all votes were free and the MLAs could always vote as they and/or their constituents thought best, rather than as their party decided, without having to be concerned about the possibility of their party losing power, then the best ideas from each party, rather than just those of the leading party, might have a reasonable chance of acceptance. Government could be more stable, balanced and even, possibly, more positive. It would enable a minority ruling party to serve a full term.
Instead of the monopoly of the ruling party, this would mean that all members would be equal, the style of government would therefore be much more democratic, and able members of a minority party would have an equal opportunity of contributing their ideas to the betterment of the province. It would avoid the current situation, where three members of a minority party appear to have a disproportionate amount of influence.
James Burchill
Victoria
