Referendums
Sir, — Attack, they say, is the best method of defence. Suggest an alternative method of electoral representation such as the referendum and proportional representation, and instead of explaining the undoubted advantages, your editorial (June 25) attacks with examples of what it sees as their disadvantages while blatantly ignoring the greater disadvantages of our grossly unfair method of electing representatives. The intention of the referendum and P.R. is to involve the absolute majority in
making decisions that affect their lives. What is the intention of relative majority method of election? Could your examples of referendum failings stand up to inquiry? Could your analysis and conclusion survive a comparative evaluation of representative governing benefits of referendum and P.R., on the one hand, compared with our method on the other? What objective evidence have you to prove that: “The slower, more refining processes of Parliament, guided by what it should know of public opinion, members have much to commend them against the referendum?” — Yours, etc., L. J. ROBINSON. June 26, 1983.
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Press, 5 July 1983, Page 20
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169Referendums Press, 5 July 1983, Page 20
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