EDITOR:
Holman recently called for more MLA’s in the P.E.I. legislature. With the current party system that would hardly make for more democracy. Take the recent dispute between MLA Bush Dumville and the premier. It would appear that the sole issue of dispute between the two was whether or not Mr. Dumville should have a cabinet position.
Three of the four parties - Liberals, Conservatives and NDPers - all practice strict party discipline. Either you follow the dictates of the party leader or you are out of the party. However, Holman’s call for more MLA’s would do nothing to change the fact that the party leader is a complete dictator when it comes to expressing views on government or passing legislation. You either follow the party line or you are out of the party, and I do not see how more MLA’s would help that issue.
Unless you vote for the Green Party. They are the only party allowing each MLA to have an opinion of their own. Personally, I would prefer an MLA that is allowed to speak and vote as an individual. We need more of those kinds of MLA’s, not a bigger legislature. Islanders should also understand that the proposed Proportional Representation system in no way gives less representation. There will be the same total number of MLA’s and you can vote on two of them instead of one, with the assurance that your vote will never be wasted.
Ole Hammarlund,
Charlottetown
