In the blue corner

Winston Churchill said that ‘‘democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.’’

It is not a perfect system, it never has been and, frankly, it never will be.

That said, it serves a clear purpose, which is to provide voters with the right to choose who represents them.

When voters go to the polling booths, no matter if they are local body or central Government elections, they can cast their vote as they choose.

Some members of the public will have done their due diligence before voting and understood the candidate or party they are voting for.

Others will cast their vote based on a familiar face or someone who seems recognisable.

Either way, an election is the opportunity for voters to set the political scene through to the next election.

There are some concerns being raised about candidates, with a particular view on vaccinations and mandates, and calls for them to disclose those views to voters. There are even calls for a process to recall elected representatives if they are not performing as expected.

We may not agree with a particular candidate’s views, policies, or even their ideology, but we all have the right to run for public office.

We live in a liberal democracy where freedom of ideas and speech should be welcomed, not restricted.

That said, our liberal democracy has been sorely tested in the last few years, but it has endured and will continue to.

All functioning and stable democracies have one thing in common, and that is free and frequent elections.

Elections are a means of holding our representatives accountable, and in New Zealand this occurs at least every three years.

Elections are effectively judgment day where the will of the people will either change their representatives or keep the status quo.

Ultimately, democracy and freedom of representation go hand in hand. We simply cannot have one without the other.

A well-functioning democracy does not restrict views or ideas, it allows free and open debate.

The alternative is group think, which is the hallmark of an authoritarian regime.

We all have the opportunity to take part in the upcoming local body elections.

Who you vote for is your choice, all I ask is that you get out and exercise your right and accept the results, whatever they may be.