Modeling Journey

The BC-STV referendum result is a crushing defeat of that particular reform concept, and most disappointing. It joins the other recent failures to reform the silly and antiquated first past the post system of electing political representatives.

But all is not lost.

If we think back ten or so years, electoral reform was not a topic of everyday discussion. Proponents were regarded as slightly loopy, and most people would cross the road and walk on the other side to avoid being accosted by a reformist.

But now? Now people talk about it. Now we debate different types of reforms. Now we consider the ironical results of the FPTP system. Now we have politicians wringing their hands over regional alienation, and wondering aloud how to ensure that the centrifugal forces in Canada do not splinter the country.

Let us take heart from earlier reform movements. Think about how long it took for women to gain the vote. How about them suffragettes? Not even the Cat and Mouse Act could deter those dogged reformers:

"The so-called Cat and Mouse Act was passed by the British government to prevent suffragettes from obtaining public sympathy; it provided the release of those whose hunger strikes had brought them sickness, as well as their re-imprisonment once they had recovered."

So let us lick our wounds, commiserate with each other, reflect upon what happened, and then put our heads together to come up with new ways to achieve that most worthy end: making every vote count, and improving democracy in our country.

And above all, don't let the bastards grind us down.