by Stephen Lesslie (Vice President, PRSA (NSW)
The result of the referendum in British Columbia for the introduction of the single transferable vote (STV) system was 39% in favour. This is a disappointing result for those of us who believe that proportional representation and in particular the single transferable vote (STV) is an ideal system.
British Columbia uses single member electorates with first past the post voting. In the past, election results have been badly skewed and have rarely given satisfaction, save to those actually elected.
The British Columbian parliament has an odd idea of democracy. In the previous 2005 referendum, the vote in support of STV was 58%. It was carried in all but two electorates (or ridings). The parliament had, however, decided that STV required 60% support to be carried.
Under pressure from such a strong vote, the proposal was put again to the electorate on May 12, 2009. The parliament also voted to give both the Yes and No campaigns C$500,000 each. This donation enabled the No campaign – which would otherwise have struggled to raise any money – the ability to run a strong negative fear campaign.