Editor:
It’s somewhat shocking to read just how shocked some people are that the federal Liberals did not proceed with electoral reform at this time.
Certainly, people who vote based on campaign promises are always going to be disappointed sooner or later; in politics, and in government, not all promises will be kept. The real mistake the Liberals made, if any, was in making this promise, not in not keeping it. Hopefully they won’t make rash promises in the next election. (Personally, I am much happier with a Liberal majority and broken promise on electoral reform than, say, an NDP majority and a kept promise of restoring Canada Post home delivery.)
For those who complain that our current system allows parties to control ridings with only a plurality and not a majority of votes, consider that the NDP received a majority of votes in only three of their 44 ridings (seven per cent of their seats), which is a much lesser rate than the Liberals (47 per cent of their seats) or the Conservatives (42 per cent of their seats).
Ultimately, changing the electoral system is probably one of the most profoundly society-altering actions a government can take, and the risk of unintended consequences should not be ignored. Absolutely nothing has changed in how our electoral system works in the 56 years since the NDP was formed. If the NDP wants to lead the country, they need to bring forward a platform that enough Canadians can get behind (instead of demanding the system be changed to their benefit). One wonders why the NDP can’t figure this out. After 56 years? And still with the word “New” in their name? (I was born one year before the NDP was formed, and no one considers me new.)
Alan Donenfeld, Gibsons
