Aylward’s shocker

For months, Premier Wade MacLauchlan and Opposition Leader James Aylward engaged in a game of political brinkmanship — challenging each other to take the first step on the issue of electoral reform. Mr. Aylward pressured the premier to release details on a promised referendum question, while the premier countered that until he heard the new PC leader’s stance on electoral reform, he won’t be releasing those details.

The referendum will ask Islanders to choose between the plebiscite winner — mixed member proportional (MMP) — and a second option that remains a mystery. The premier stalled on the referendum question throughout 2017, but at least the PCs had an excuse — that until the party elected a new leader, it was reluctant to endorse a policy.

During the fall sitting, the premier’s only commitment was a promise to table referendum legislation in the spring. Mr. Aylward remained evasive, declining to commit to a position — only saying the party would support the referendum winner. Until last week’s bombshell.

Mr. Aylward submitted an opinion article published in The Guardian last Friday, saying it was time to ‘rock the cradle.’ Instead of endorsing MMP, or one of the other reform options put before voters in the plebiscite, Mr. Aylward went off in a completely new direction. He said the province should widen the electoral reform conversation and consider additional options, including a consensus government format.

Wow.

He asks if it’s time to do away with the traditional party system on the Island and suggests replacing it with a consensus government like the type used in Nunavut where every MLA runs as an independent. After the election, the winning candidates get together and choose a premier and a cabinet by secret ballot. It’s a flabbergasting proposal.

What was behind Mr. Aylward’s abrupt aboutface? Was he attempting to throw the Liberals and premier into a tizzy? Or present himself as a progressive new leader, open to new ideas? Is he actually sincere in seeking full discussion on this intriguing new option for Island voters to consider? Apparently, he is. Mr. Aylward suggests consensus government would lead to a more effective legislature and rid P.E.I. politics of partisanship. All MLAs would work together, not for the party but for the benefit of all Islanders.

His position caught most people by surprise, and likely many members of his own party which has a reasonable chance to win the next election. Mr. Aylward spoke to caucus and party members about his idea, and while nobody tried to discourage him from going public, it’s also notable that no one else endorsed the idea. As well, the PC leader didn’t actually commit to adopting consensus government if the PCs win the next election, but suggested it’s a model he would like to move toward.

And how will this impact the premier’s referendum legislation? He probably gagged slightly on his morning coffee when he read Mr. Aylward’s proposal. Well, he asked the PCs for their position on electoral reform and now he has one — sort of.