A clear question

Generally speaking, people are more likely to get involved, if they are opposed to something; rather than get engaged in support, no matter how appealing. It’s part of the human psyche. Such a rationale was in play in the past plebiscite, and now the looming referendum, on electoral reform.

Premier Wade MacLauchlan promised clarity — with a clear question placed before Islanders. He’s surpassed that promise, with a question so threadbare, it seems to have left opposition MLAs speechless.

In the turbulent days following the November 2016 plebiscite, the premier argued he couldn’t implement Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMP) — the winning option — because he believed the voter turnout of 36.5 per cent was an inadequate mandate for change.

The premier promised to place MMP before Islanders in a binding referendum, along with a second option — to be debated and voted on by the legislature. The referendum will be held with the next provincial election, guaranteeing a majority of Islanders will be involved in this momentous point of history.

The scare of a snap spring election — a prospect that left electoral reform supporters fearing the worst — has abated. The process is unfolding but not exactly the way the premier envisioned. It was quickly pointed out the referendum couldn’t be binding because of parliamentary sovereignty, a principle that no legislature can pass laws that a future legislature cannot change.

In another reversal, there is no second question on the ballot. The motion tabled in the legislature last month was very simple: Do you support MMP: Yes or No? Liberal strategists likely examined the options and decided the best chance to see the referendum defeated is with this simple question. The motion received scant attention from MLAs two weeks ago, despite its abrupt left turn.

By clear inference, there is a second option before voters but it won’t appear anywhere in print. By voting no, Islanders will indicate they are happy with the status quo of First-Past-the-Post.

People with doubts about the unknown world of MMP will vote no. It’s the human psyche at work again. Since Islanders usually turn out in numbers of over 85 per cent for provincial elections, the government believes that once they get people into the voting booth, enough no votes will carry the day.

It leaves the proportional representation (PR) coalition with a lot of work to do between now and voting day, which looks like early fall but more likely next spring.

A lot of education is needed to allay fears about PR, even though it’s widely used throughout most democracies around the world.

And the non-binding obstacle can be solved if all parties vote to support the referendum result, no matter who wins the next election. A vote and solemn pledge would ensure that political and public pressure would force the next government to honour the outcome.

Despite the premier’s opinion, there was no clear question in 2016. Now we have a clear question and a majority vote is assured. The result must be binding.