CHANGING DEMOCRACY

  BC and the politics of Middle Earth   

REFERENDA

In 1992, the New Zealand National Party reluctantly decided to to put electoral reform before the voters. Electoral reform hadn't captured widespread public attention and many people in the so called "political elite" had misgivings. Particularly worrisome were proposals for proportional representation, the system recommended by the Royal Commission set up by Sir Geoffrey Palmer.

As Palmer indicated there were two referenda. The first in September of 1992 asked people if they wanted change, and if so what kind. An information campaign was launched explaining the choices.

Almost every established politician and business leader campaigned against change, including New Zealand's current Prime Minister. Helen Clark said, "...I would argue that changes to a system like MMP would produce shakier and less accountable governments without clear direction." Today Prime Minister Clark has had a change of heart.

On September 19, 2002, in a non-binding referendum 55.2 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in a non-binding referendum. Eighty-four point seven percent indicated they wanted to dump FPTP and 70.5 percent picked MMP to replace it.

A year later, in a binding referendum, 85.2 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, and 54% of voters choose MMP. Both referendums provoked acrimonious debate and intrigue. Critics suggested the votes were a backlash against politicians who ran roughshod between elections.

Today no political party can expect a clear majority in the New Zealand Parliament. The New Zealand Electoral Commission's Paul Harris believes voters knew what they were doing.