And the ethnic Chinese Civil War. Not worth a mention Ling?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Civil_War#Atrocities

Proportional representation is as easily manipulated as the preferential system given the bartered flow of preferences still undermines the will of the people.

It's not what happens to the greens or how they fare or to any other party, but how badly the will of the people is confounded by the political power brokers and dirty deals done in the dead of night.

The national party would hardly exist but for the flow of liberal preferences!

If one really believes in democracy. Then there is nothing but primaries, followed by a runoff between the two leading candidates.

This would likely render the backroom power brokers largely powerless. And install democracy in a parliament that has never been put there by the informed demonstrable will of the people.

And we need a cap on political donation and political campaign spending, least we see power being bought and sold or to the highest bidder.

Proportional representation and diversification needs to preside over preselection prior to general elections. Then let the people decide who gets Guernsey's rather than back-room power brokers or backers with the deepest pockets!
Alan B

Senate seats are decided by proportional representation and a plethora of preference swaps. And has allowed someone with 1% or less primary votes to win a senate seat.

There needs to be a quota system that eliminates candidates with less than 5% primary votes.

If you want to keep this highly flawed undemocratic system, then preferences must be optional! No if buts or maybes, end of story.

If than then gives the (seats and power at any price) disingenuous lock it and leave it, greens the balance of power and an ability to veto any lower house legislation or conversely, banishes them to the political wilderness/extinction. So be it!
Alan B.

Contrary to this bit of garbage, first past the post is the only fair way to elect a government. Any other system gives minor parties too much power when their small numbers actually control the vote when the majors are in close to even numbers.

Right now we have the situation that the government is in the position of having to persuade one of only 2 people to vote with them to get a bill up. Just how much power & what prospect for payola does it give these two.

First past the post is only really democratic when there are only two candidates or when the winner gets more than 50% of the vote, where there are three or more candidates and the one with the most votes doesn’t get 50% plus then the majority didn’t want that candidate, so either you need Preferential to sort things out or the more expensive Runoffs.

is Mise,
Isn't it funny how the proponents of Democracy denounce democratic outcomes ?