Making democracy work

Most voters have a down-to-earth idea of what democracy means: a government elected by a majority of voters.

It is a disturbing fact that our present system, First-Past-the-Post, doesn’t do this. For example, in each of three recent elections in BC (2005, 2009, and 2013), the Liberals won a strong majority of MLAs (58 per cent) – and 100 per cent of the power – with only 45 per cent of the vote. No wonder they want to keep First-Past-the-Post.

Such distorted outcomes are common. In 1996, the NDP got fewer votes than the Liberals (only 39 per cent) but won more seats (52 per cent) and formed government.

Recently, the CAQ won a strong majority in Quebec (59 per cent of MNAs) with only 37 per cent of the vote. Doug Ford won a strong majority in Ontario (61 per cent of MLAs) with only 40 per cent of the vote. And Donald Trump won the U.S. election despite receiving three million fewer votes than his opponent. 

How are such outcomes desirable in a democracy? Or fair? First-Past-the-Post distorts the will of voters. It makes governments vulnerable to takeover by extreme groups. It needs to be replaced – and we have a chance to replace it in this month’s referendum. With proportional representation, a party that wins 39 per cent of the vote would win 39 per cent of the seats. A simple idea. And one with many benefits.

With three major parties in B.C., proportional representation will frequently result in coalition governments – a big plus. Under such conditions, political parties act as checks on one another. Politicians will be forced to engage in discussion and cooperation to come to a consensus about policies. They will have to be civil, perhaps even truthful.

The result will be more stable (and better) public policy. Under the current system, policy lurches as different minorities elect governments that have no need to consult or cooperate with others. With 100 per cent of the power, they impose their own agenda. Under proportional representation, more diverse views are considered, and better solutions to complex problems can be found. Let’s remember that we owe our health care system and the Canada Pension Plan to coalition governments. This is how democracy can work.

In the current referendum campaign, it’s special-interest minority groups who are trying to frighten us into keeping First-Past-the-Post. They like being the minority that has 100 per cent of the power. It’s time for a system that reflects voters’ preferences. It’s time for Proportional Representation.

Bill Roberts, Kamloops