Reform MMP. Don't throw baby out with the bathwater.

Is MMP perfect?  No.  But it is a proportional system that better reflects the voting preferences of the New Zealand public, creates better checks and balances on executive power, and has helped create a more diverse Parliament.

Earlier this year the Christchurch East LEC put up a remit to Labour's Region 5 conference that started to kick off the debate within the Labour Party.  That remit passed and then went to Annual Conference (you will have seen the media that surrounded that).  Lianne Dalziel spearheaded that remit and has argued strongly that Labour needs to put aside personal and party interests and enter the debate - but the debate simply can't be MMP versus another system.

I agree.  If the debate is status quo versus change, change will win.  And that change will result in a return to FPP or Supplementary Member (FPP with a winners bonus). 

Labour has to be willing to advance an argument around reforming the more unpopular aspects of MMP, rather than simply arguing for the current MMP system.  And everything should be on the table.  The size of electorates, the 5% threshold, the number of electorates versus list MPs, the provision that allows MPs who win a seat to bring other people in, the number of MPs in general, the party hopping provisions etc.

If Labour fails to do that then I fear that the New Zealand public (enticed by what will inevitably be a well funded well run campaign against MMP) will vote for change.  We don't have to throw the baby out with the bathwater - we need a sensible debate around reforming some aspects of our current system. 

Comments

[Adolf Fiinkensein]

Good grief, I find myself in agreement with you. I like the concept of MMP which brings into play minor parties. I don't like the disproportionate influence and power the current system bestows upon these minnows, many of whom, like Anderton Dunne and Peters are really just crooks in disguise.

I say, lift the threshold to at least 8% and make the entry level two seats instead of one. Lift the number of party members from 500 to 2,000 and then you might get some stability with genuine minority parties getting into the act.

[Tony Milne]

It's known to happen sometimes - people agreeing with me.

[tim barclay]

I am sure the Labour Party would not like the threshold to be too low. That fractious Party would split into its various factions. Maybe that would be a good idea, yeah lets lower the threshold and destroy the Labour Party.

[Swimmer]

I like the threshold where it is, low enough to get minorities in, but high enough to keep freak parties out. Yep, I like MMP, would hate to go back to FPP.