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THE ISSUE

British Columbians will have an opportunity to choose a new "single transferable vote" electoral system in a referendum on May 17. Supporters, however, strongly believe that it will make MLAs more accountable to their constituents and the Legislature more representative of public views.

Of course, it's complicated

The arguments for and against STV are legion, and the system of allocating votes isn't easily understood.

The bottom line

Is the imbalance in the current legislature a problem? Do you believe STV is a good system? Will you encourage voters to support it? If the referendum fails, would you support future efforts to explore other types of electoral reform?

THE ANSWERS

Green Party of BC

The Green party played a leading role in promoting proportional representation for B.C. Adriane Carr was a co-founder of the Citizens' Initiative on Electoral Reform and, along with many others, worked tirelessly for proportional representation. The imbalance in the current Legislature says it all: 57 percent of the vote in 2001 generated 97 percent of the seats. What's wrong with this? Everything. The Citizens' Assembly studied and debated and finally chose an STV option for the May referendum. The Green Party found itself divided on this option. Many of those who had worked for pro-rep, including Adriane Carr, believe that STV is inferior to a mixed member proportional (MMP) representation system in a number of ways. Others in the party find the current system so deplorable that they think anything is better, including STV. At the November 2004 AGM members voted for a compromise: the party will remain neutral but individuals, including candidates, are encouraged to learn about the issue and vote their conscience. Regardless of the outcome, the Green party believes that proportional representation is needed. If STV is implemented, we view it as an experiment in democracy whose first test will be in 2009. If it passes this test, great. If not, perhaps another system such as MMP will be better. If STV fails in the May election, the Green party will continue to work for proportional representation.

Democratic Reform BC

Don't split the vote in 2005. Vote "yes" for electoral reform, and select a Democratic Reform candidate as your next MLA. Ninety-three percent of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform voted to change the current system. Our party supports the establishment of a Legislature based on enhanced proportionality, greater voter choice and a representative relationship between the elector and the MLA. BC-STV should achieve those goals, but it is only part of what is needed to achieve a fully participatory democracy. We are also committed to election finance reform, enhanced recall, initiative and referenda, First Nations representation similar to that extended to the Maori in New Zealand, an elected Senate, recorded votes in the Legislature, controls on patronage and democratic rights for youth. Regardless of the outcome of the May 17 referendum, Democratic Reform will continue work for democratic change. Jen Fisher-Bradley, Alberni-Qualicum, DRBC democracy advocate, 250 724-7308, [email protected]

BC Liberals

The party platform lauds the BC Liberals creation of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform but states that as the governing party it must remain impartial on the May 17 referendum question on the STV proposal.

NDP

The 2005 platform does not mention the STV initiative. While some NDP candidates, such as former Nelson-Creston MLA Corky Evans, favour STV, in general the two main parties see STV as a threat to their domination of the B.C. electoral landscape.