Media Release: Campaign for MMP
Monday August 23, 2010.

Old majoritarian electoral systems are creaking

Old majoritarian electoral systems such as those used in Australia and England are no longer fit for purpose, Campaign for MMP said today.

“In the recent UK and Australian elections, the First Past the Post and Preferential Vote systems respectively used in those countries have failed to deliver single party majority government,” Campaign for MMP spokesperson Sandra Grey said.

“Systems designed for single party government are now collapsing under the weight of third party support, which neither system adequately recognises.”

“New Zealanders must surely now question the rationale behind a referendum with such failed options as FPP and PV.”

"The Australian and British elections reflect what prompted New Zealanders to chuck out its majority system in 1993, that voters want parliaments to reflect the diversity of the electorate."

“MMP is fit for purpose for our 21st century electorate. It delivers a representative parliament reflecting all our voters,” Sandra Grey said.

ENDS

In 2011 voters will be asked whether to keep MMP or move to a new electoral system. Voters will first be asked if they want to keep MMP or change to another electoral system. The second question puts forward four alternative options: single transferable vote (STV); preferential vote (PV); first-past-the-post (FPP); and supplementary member (SM).

The Campaign for MMP has been established to mobilise public support for the MMP electoral system leading up to the government's planned 2011 referendum. More information about Campaign for MMP is here: http://www.campaignformmp.org.nz

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