Tired of political pettiness

LET me start by saying that I have never had any serious political inclination in any form or fashion.

I have accepted the results of every election as the will of the majority.

In 2016, the will decided that it was a time for a change, just on the straightforward results, and the DA ended with a superior tally of votes.

However, since a “majority” was not obtained, a coalition had to be formed.

Herewith my first snag: why is it that parties, after having made numerous promises in their own capacity, independently from other parties and having garnered votes based on these promises, then see fit to throw it all away and team up with alternative parties?

Surely, this is a betrayal of the electorate which chose to vote for you in the first instance.

Why is it that the party which won is not automatically awarded the majority seats?

Why would one allow a virtual “non-starter” at the polls to be a deciding criterion?

I am a voter who selects a party based on the principles of the party, whether it be a one-percenter or a 50-percenter, that is irrelevant to me as I prefer to stay true to myself.

Every five years politicians come around and promise the earth and sundry, only to go and do as they please thereafter. Were these coalitions first discussed with the electorate? No!

Involving oneself in coalitions ultimately just leads to compromises, which lead to infighting, which has been well highlighted and documented recently, or more to the point, since the beginning.

I am sick and tired of all the politicians playing “God” with our votes and ultimately producing absolutely nothing other than enhancing their own egos and arrogance.

Change the system, majority votes = majority seats.

Stop making our lives miserable with all the pettiness!

Tim Gray, Port Elizabeth