Radio NZ debate on MMP
October 25th, 2011 at 7:00 am by David FarrarRadio NZ is hosting a debate on MMP and the electoral system referendum. The debate will be moderated by Julian Robbins and Philippa Tolley.
The debate will be held on Wednesday 26 October starting at 6 pm and you can be part of the audience at Te Papa’s Soundings Theatre. It will be broadcast on National Radio after the 8 am news on Sunday 30 October, and also available online at radionz.co.nz/Insight.
The panel for the debate is
- Rt Hon Jim Bolger, former Prime Minister
- Hon Michael Cullen, former Deputy Prime Minister
- Hon Ruth Richardson, former Finance Minister
- Jeanette Fitzsimons, former Green co-leader
- Sandra Grey, Campaign for MMP
- Jordan Williams, Vote for Change
- Professor Nigel Roberts
I think it will be fascinating to listen to, and find out who supports which system, and why. Fitzsimons will be MMP of course. I understand both Bolger and Richardson may actually agree on their preferred option! And not sure where Cullen sits.
October 25th, 2011 at 7:22 am
Is Michael Cullen allowed to speak? I thougth the National Party bought his silence… with taxpayers money.
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 7:45 am
Cullen was interviewed on RNZ about MMP a few weeks ago. He admitted to be strongly against MMP at the time it was introduced, he is still not a fan, but right now, at this time, on the balance of everything, he said he’d probably marginally come down on the side of supporting it.
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 8:09 am
MMP has provided representation for all sections of the population.In the past there have been shocking cases of bad parliamentary results- the 1981 election where Social Credit polled well and of course the 1984 election with the Bob Jones party.Little to show for their efforts !
Vote:FPP favours the big parties where they can focus resources on key marginals – Mirimar,New Plymouth.
Votes are of equal importance in the whole country with MMP. In the electorate I live in, blue ribbon National, the individuals vote has importance.People who vote National in place like Sydenham or Porirua know they have a vote which matches the votes in other parts of the country.
I don’t like MMP in the sense that decisive government is more difficult but in the end MMP is more fair.
October 25th, 2011 at 8:18 am
The problem with MMP is that it makes an already election conscious government even less effective by forcing them to pander to small lobby groups. (ie Peters, Dunne, Hide, Sharples, Bradford)
It acts to preserve the status quo, because nothing *substantial* ever changes.
If you are a conservative*, MMP is your friend.
(*conservative defined as one who favours tradition)
What, if anything, has changed substantially since the introduction of MMP?
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Scott Chris
All valid points re MMP. Before we get too carried away & start reminiscing about the ‘good ol days’ of FPP it would pay to list the down sides of that system: the power concentrated in the executive, the way non marginal seats were ignored, the way election promises were forgotten two hours after the votes were counted & the total arrogance & the non accountability of our chosen dictators for three year stretches.
I hope I never get to see another FPP government elected. If we want to discard the bathwater & retain the baby let’s go for STV.
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 8:42 am
MMP could suffer a big blow in this debate if Ruth Richardson and Jim Bolger combine to support it.
* STV would be as big a revolution as MMP was. It is a totally different system with a very different dynamic, being based on personailties rather than philosophies. Also, it only provides roughly proportional results, and like the other alternatives to MMP is based on winning a few marginal electorates – meaning that most votes do not really count.
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 8:46 am
A debate with nine people? That’s going to take forever to fact-check!
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Wasn’t Spud Bolger who gave us this dreadful system?
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 9:13 am
Should broadcast it over all their stations and be able to be heard as a download. But debates are a pointless way of communicating information because you cannot speak for long.
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 9:20 am
I’ll check, but I believe it was New Zealand voters.
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 9:22 am
nasska says:- “If we want to discard the bathwater & retain the baby let’s go for STV.”
Hmm, I still lean towards FPP, despite its flaws. (perhaps I’m a closet conservative after all, perish the thought)
Still STV has its merits if what you want is a proper popularity contest.
Quite like the sample STV demo at: http://www.stv.govt.nz/stv/how.htm
Shows what idiots voters are, that they would prefer Brando and Munroe over John Lennon.
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 9:24 am
OMG…why would anybody want to listen to that idiot Bolger.
The sooner we forget he was ever PM the better.
Vote:October 25th, 2011 at 9:31 am
You know you can do it Graeme.
Vote: