Re: “B.C. voters should reject proportional representation,” editorial, Nov. 16.
The editorial conveniently points out that a system in which parties lay out their platforms prior to election is better than policy being determined post-election by the “hodge-podge” of parties that form the government under a proportional-representation system.
The fatal flaw in this argument is the oft-repeated scenario in which a majority government ignores many or most of its campaign promises once it is in a position to actually bring these promises into force. Government after government across Canada (provincial and federal) have used this tactic.
This is a key reason that the electorate is dissatisfied with first-past-the-post and few trust what politicians say. International experience clearly shows that the policies implemented by governments elected under PR systems tend to be much more balanced, in the broad public interest and the programs longer lasting — attributes sorely lacking under our current system.
Michael Coon
Victoria
