Electoral Reform: Taking into Account Political Parties and Governance Issues

1. Electoral Reform: Taking into Account Political Parties and Governance Issues A Presentation to the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform by Ian McKinnon

2. Presentation Themes • Look at electoral rules in terms of their impact on the relative power of party officials versus voters and party members. • Consider electoral systems in relation to our current form of parliamentary government.

3. Voter Impact Matters • Voters are frustrated if there true preference risks a “wasted vote.” • Voters want input over who runs, or at least assurance that the selection process is fair and responsive.

4. Transparency Matters • Voters are angered by intra or inter-party bargaining that is secretive or carried on by non-elected officials. • They want to know how their vote is translated into the choice of candidates and governments.

5. Conflicting Models • FPTP systems have roots before party-centred elections and focus on individual candidates. Independents can be elected. • PR systems are party-centred. • Mixed systems try reap benefits from both approaches.

6. Nominations are Critical • When the party apparatus controls nominations, power flows to party officials. • Elected representatives can be more independent of party when there is local or voter control over nominations or, to a lesser degree, the ordering of party lists.

7. Forming Governments • The Westminster system does not deal well with minority Parliaments. • Government formation and securing support for specific bills are marked by back-room dealings and intense bargaining. • Minority governments are unstable and frequent elections decrease turnout.

8. Recommendation #1 • The nomination process is important to a well-functioning electoral system and it is appropriate for the Assembly to recommend rules that reinforce basic democratic principles. For FPTP • Set standards for nomination processes. • Ensure a measure of constituency nomination independence.

9. Recommendation #2 • Promote local and member independence in proportional systems. • Have “open” rather than “closed” party lists. • Ensure that setting the list selection process is not purely an internal party affair by setting standards and rules appropriate to the form of electoral system.

10. Recommendation #3 • Consider the characteristics of our Westminster parliamentary government. • Make a recommendation about the electoral system that would work effectively given our current form of government. • Be willing to make recommendations or observations about the relationship between electoral systems and the form of government.

11. Recommendation #4 • If change is recommended, endorse the “Proportional Representation (PR) Light” proposal. • It will minimize the impact of unintended consequences. • It creates increased proportionality. • It provides an opportunity to evaluate the changes and a path to move to greater proportionality while adjusting to ensure that the final form works more effectively.