Yes side not short on motivation

Dear editor: The slow return of ballots on whether or not to change the way we vote concerns me greatly. Apathy could result in our entire province being governed by regional special interest groups. Plus do we really wants to pay for more politicians?

You can be sure that every member of the Greens and NDP will be motivated and voting for proportional representation so I encourage all British Columbians to research what the change would really mean to the way we are governed.

Really check out the platforms of the parties that will gain the most from PR. I mean, check them out in great detail and consider what they mean economically for the province. I did and I will vote to keep firstpast-the-post. Andy Richards Summerland with them, we shouldn't allow them into the conversation. Seventeen per cent is not a fringe party. They should have been entitled to 14 seats, not three. I suppose that he would have considered the Conservatives a fringe party when, in the 90s they were reduced to two seats in Ottawa, despite getting 22 per cent of the vote.

Wayne Llewellyn uses the worn-out talking points of the No side and needs also to read the Voters Guide.

Under PR, candidates are not handed down from on high by top party brass, they are nominated the same way FPTP candidates are nominated, by riding associations. In this process, for both systems, a small number of riding members decide the candidates. The voter has no choice in this.

In both systems, FPTP and PR, candidates follow party policies. No difference there.

The difference comes when you look at representation. Under FPTP, you end up with only one MLA, who may or may not share your views because she owes her allegiance to her party. You are out of luck if you want your FPTP MLA to go against party policy.

Of 8,500 votes in Victoria, in only five instances did an MLA vote against party lines.

With PR, you will have access to more than one MLA and they will be from different parties. The chances are that you will find an MLA who shares your views. Daryl Sturdy

Vancouver