Political power play

Let’s assume for a dystopian moment that the Yes side wins the prop-rep referendum by a vote of 60 per cent.  

Let’s also make the likely generous assumption that the ballots are returned by 40 per cent of eligible voters.

This means that 24 per cent of B.C.’s voters took the trouble to indicate that they favour some sort of proportional representation. 

Now, let’s add an additional not unreasonable assumption: among the three options for prop-rep, the winning option receives 45 per cent of the vote.

Hence, based on a mere 11 per cent (i.e. 45 per cent of 24 per cent) of the voting public supporting a particular form of proportional representation, the NDP/Green coalition believes it would have a mandate to impose that system and fundamentally change the manner in which British Columbians elect their provincial representatives.

It’s difficult to imagine a more egregious example of a tiny minority imposing its will on the majority. 

More than anything, the current prop-rep referendum is a reflection of what NDP/Green politicians think of the voting public – and it clearly isn’t flattering. We can begin to enlighten them by voting No on this thinly disguised political power play.

Chris Fibiger, Kelowna