Proportional representation
Sir,—J. W. Wood has attempted to terrify us with the spectre of unstable governments elected by proportional representation. Given our own recent and continuing instability, however, he displays a selective terror. His much-praised status quo has provided no stability at all. This Government is revealed to be what all governments are
— a coalition of interests. Coalitions always exist. Under proportional representation, though, they are visible and accountable. Here, they are covert, hidden within “broad-spectrum” parties attempting to be all things to everyone. Unable to reconcile irreconcilables, this coalition is collapsing. Our course for the next year or two will be decided not by us but by politicians manoeuvring in the legendary smoke-filled rooms — the very objection Mr Wood makes to proportional representation. Under our system, if a party (and its voters) split, the other major party will inevitably become the Government by default — the opposite of Mr Wood’s claim that our system enables us to throw out bad parties. —
Yours, etc., D. J. ROUND. December 21, 1988.
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Press, 28 December 1988, Page 12
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169Proportional representation Press, 28 December 1988, Page 12
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