Those who know me, know that I don't think much of our political system, federally or in all provinces and the Yukon territory. Personally I think that the Party system is the biggest impediment to democracy here in Canada. The current brouhaha involving coalitions and a prorogued Parliament only serves to illustrate much of what I think is wrong with the system.
Parties, all of them, exist to seek power, not to do what is best for the country. Almost everything they do is calculated to get re-elected, or to bring down the current Party in power so they can replace it. I'm sure that many of the individuals involve follow a logic along the lines of "I can't do the good I want to do, unless we are in power" Unfortunately it ends up just about keeping or gaining power, and very little to do with good governance.
Because Parties choose their leaders, and the leader of the winning Party becomes the Prime Minister (or in most cases – Premier) I might not be able to vote for the best person for my constituency. I'm constrained in my voting because the best person for where I live, might belong to the Party that is the worst for the country, and by electing him or her I will help give that Party power.
I don't know if things were different in the early days of our Governments (although I suspect it wasn't) but as long as I can remember behaviour in our parliaments and legislatures has been positiviely churlish, and childish. If Party #1 says "x", then Party # 2 must say "y". Even if "x" is a pretty good idea. Members must vote along Party lines (on all but a few rare occasions when they are "free to vote with their consciences") or they will be removed from caucus.
We need to look for a better way. Personally I think that a consensus style of government is that better way. In a consensus style of government, there are no Parties. Everyone runs for office as an independent. And once elected, they choose the Prime Minister/Premier and Cabinet members. (For more details on consensus governments go here.)
While I've often whined about this I've never actually done anything about. Let's face it, the very people whose interests lie in preserving the Party system would be those that would have to change it. But Michael of Michael's Meanderings is doing something about it. He's been interviewed by CBC North, and has started a Facebook Group. What is more, he is discussing ways to bring about that change with others on the group. If you want to try and bring about change to this system (and I know its still a very long shot), or even if you want to take part in the debate, it behooves you to go to the Canadians for Consensus Government Facebook Group.
Times awasting, Parliament's not going to be prorogued forever you know.
Comments
4 responses
Another good post!
I think that even without formal parties, politicians are still going to band together based on ideology and financial interests. A party system just makes it more explicit.
John, they’ll band together, but it’ll be on an issue-by-issue basis and those issues will be informed by their constituents – not dictated by a party.
Thanks Laura.
Yes John, there will still be banding together, but like MM says it would be more issue driven (hopefully). There other side of it is that freed from concerns about voting to keep one party in or out of power, voters should be in a better position to reward or punish their MP in the next election. Part of the criteria that they can use to judge is if they are solely voting in a block or alliance.
One of the downsides to this, but one I think could be controlled is that it creates more of an opportunity for lobbyists than currently exists in our system of Government.
Thanks MM