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Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 40 No. 14. June 13 1977
Citizens for Beetham
Citizens for Beetham
A political system which allows one Party with only 38% of all eligible vites to have 63% of the seats in Parliament is far from representative government. This is the system we have now.
In a true democracy, any Party with more than about 5% of the total vote is represented in Parliament. This is usually achieved by Proportional Representation, the system that Continental countries have.
Although there are several forms of It, the petition available at the Student's Centre is to establish the principle. You are invited to sign for a fair and accurate political system; please participate in this major political step.
- That after one election Labour had more votes but we had a National government because they had more elected MP's. The reverse could happen too.
- Marginal electorates hold the balance of power.
- Country votes have more power than city votes.
- The Government's decision is one Party line, instead of being the decision of elected representatives from all Parties with more than about 5% of the votes.
- When Britain changes to Proportional Representation in 1981 (as part of the Common Market agreement) only South Africa and New Zealand will still have the first past the post voting system.
- Values voters would be entitled to four candidates in Parliament on the last election results if our voting system was accurately representative, and Social Credit 7 candidates.
- Besides fighting the elections, the smaller Parties have to fight the system, as well as having to fund elections on their own money rather than at the tax payers expense.
Back the Proportional Representation petition with Victoria signatures. Participate in history making.
Yours sincerely,
Elaine Freer
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