Thursday, October 11, 2007

Thoughts On Ontario Election

37% was enough to give the NDP a majority government back in 1990. But when it comes to a referendum, 37% means failure and there's no denying it. The MMP is gone for good and Ontario will keep enjoying majority governments won with about 40% of the popular vote. Too bad that 63% of Ontarians (81% if you factor those who didn't vote) are ok with that.

Voter turnout was the lowest ever. As many as 48% of the registered voters chose to stay home, letting the remaining 52% elect pretty much same Parliament as four years ago. The Green party nearly tippled their vote, coming very close to winning a seat in Bruce — Grey — Owen Sound. I may disagree with most of their policies, but I'm taking my hat off in honor of a job well done.

FCP slightly increased its vote count, but a swing similar to the one in 1990 didn't happen. Shows that a powerful trademark and media silence aren't easy to fight. With the MMP voted down, the party can no longer look forward for a few "list" seats in 2011 and must be prepared to fight for local seats. Which means more work for the leader and the grass-roots members in the 1455 days left until the next vote.

Finally, as a last glimpse of the electoral system Ontario is not going to have - what would the results have been under MMP. The local vote would have given the Liberals 60 seats. PC would have got 39 seats (of them 22 locally), NDP - 20 seats (8 locally) with the remaining 10 list seats going to the Green party. This didn't happen however and it's unlikely to happen anytime soon because so many Ontario voters simply chose to stay home and let others decide for them.
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2 comments:

  1. NB taxpayer13/10/07 17:57

    Good post, Leonard. I have a few theories of my own on why the YES vote came up way short. Feel free to add to the discussion by adding a comment.

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  2. Anonymous9/4/08 12:50

    I am fine with it Leonard as the real problem that needs to be addressed is "Why don't people vote?".Most I talk to, say that it matters not because all politicians are liars and crooks who get elected to serve their own interests not those of the province or the people. Plato said democracy was the best compromise but the problem is that most people become lazy and don't inform themselves of issues, and evaluate them critically before voting according to their conclusions. If we had a Proposition 13 like California, whereby we could kick out politicans who don't do the will of the populace or live up to their election platforms, then more people might vote.

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