Don’t change the players, change the game
Political observers often refer to the process as ‘replacing the black cat with the white cat and vice versa every four to eight years. The black cat is voted in for two or three terms until the electorate is either fed up or infected with voter fatigue. Then the process starts all over again.
Every election cycle, voters are treated to the same empty promises and tired platitudes such as ‘transparency’, ‘change’ and ‘openness in government.’ While we switch up the players every decade or so, the same old game of political elitism, rampant corruption and malaise stay in place. No wonder public distrust of politicians is at an all-time high.
Regardless of which political party they belong to, elected representatives must be held accountable for their inactions and outright transgressions against the very people who pay for salaries. Prince Edward Island could become a proving ground for true direct democracy, which will allow the average citizen to maintain control over their government.
The three tenets of direct democracy are Recall, Referendum and Citizen Initiative. If P.E.I. were to implement this revolution in democratic renewal, delinquent MLAs could easily be turfed via recall legislation. Secondly, Islanders would have the opportunity to vote for major issues (i.e. HST, Plan B) etc. in binding referendums. Thirdly, once any citizen over the age of 18 has received enough names on a petition, they could bring forth a motion to the government to have any law passed or rescinded. Switzerland has been run by direct democracy for centuries.
Recently, proponents of proportional representation have touted switching PR for first-past-the-post as the cure-all to everything that ails Island politics. While there are obvious advantages to PR, changing the way we vote does little to lessen this province’s burgeoning democratic deficit. Most voters are not concerned so much about the way politicians are voted as much as how to hold them accountable once they’re in office. Sadly, PR will not address this matter.
In the months leading up to the next provincial election, pay close attention to those candidates who refuse to tout the same worn rhetoric and are committed to ending the longstanding tradition of cronyism and corruption that has become as much of a part of Island life as lobster and Anne of Green Gables and have actual policies in place to do so. When all is said and done, the main goal of the electorate should be to have control of their elected representatives – including legislation that is passed in the house. It has been said that politics isn’t a spectator sport. Everyone must be a team player.
This next election let’s not merely change the players. Let’s change the game.
Chris McGarry, Belfast