The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 67
Unsatifactory Nature of these Results
Unsatifactory Nature of these Results.
From all the foregoing it will be seen, by even the most superficial observer of our boasted electoral system, that there is an utter absence of anything like an approach to true representation gained. The districts being small, the slightest circumstances quite change the character of the "representation" sent from them. A small knot of voters, working together for some object, can hold the balance and turn the scale in places where parties are locally pretty evenly divided, or where more than two candidates contest the seat, as was the case in more than a third (33) of the electorates at this last election. Elections turn upon the smallest considerations: the personal "good-fellowship" of the candidate, his wealth, or his impecuniosity, his connection with some financial institution, trade guild, religious society, or gambling fraternity, his capacity to "bring home plunder on his back" from the generally-supposed place of plundering—the seat of government. All these considerations have, beyond any question, exercised a most successful and pernicious influence upon the election of Members of Parliament for many years past, and must, beyond all staying, continue to do so in the future unless an honest, determined effort is made by the better-disposed people of this country to completely change the whole basis upon which our elections are held.