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politics / elections |
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Thursday January 08, 2004 09:51
by pat - lp
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Comments (5 of 5)
Jump To Comment: 5 4 3 2 1Was Rabbitte a member of Fine Gael then?
I don't think Rabitte was a member of LP at that time, even if he was he wouldn't have any influence over what Tully did
Pat Rabbitte is renowned for revising history and reinventing himself.But surely his article in the ‘Irish Independent’- ‘Dail Reform not just boundary changes’ on January 8th is a bridge too far, according to Fianna Fail TD, Peter Power.
“Deputy Rabbitte informs the reader that ‘ the least democratic expression of our electoral system is the three seat version’. However when Pat Rabbitte was a member of the Labour Party(the first time that is) in the mid 1970s, the Labour Minister for Local Government James Tully, attempted to arrange constituencies to ensure that the governing Fine Gael/Labour Coalition would win a parliamentary majority.”
“This he did by ensuring as many as possible three-seat constituencies, in the expectation that the governing parties would each win a seat in many constituencies, relegating Fianna Fáil party to one out of three. This attempted gerrymander came to be called a ‘Tullymander’.
“Obviously Deputy Rabbitte has selective amnesia when it comes to the history of his present Political Party”, concluded Deputy Power.
It is ridiculous to have proportional representation in three seater constituencies, as the aim of representing a broad spectrum of views through elected representatives is more difficult to achieve.
There clearly needs to be a review of constituencies of this size or even the introduction of a national list system so smaller parties could get 'proportional representation'!
The new boundaries to constituencies will further worsen the state of our democracy. It has increased the number of 3 seat constituencies and reduced the number of 5 seaters. This makes it almost impossible for small parties to get somone elected in a three seater. e.g. A party or individual who gets 10 - 12% of the first preferences in a five seater has an excellent chance of picking up a seat but in a three seater you would need at least 20%+ to be in the running. That these recomendations have been made by an 'independent' commission is even more baffling. Bertie couldn't have done a better job himself. Years ago we even had seven seat constituencies. One particular instance is in Co Meath, why was this 5 seater split into two three seat constituencies instead of just extending the boundaries and making one single six seater? In a six seater it would be possible for Labour, the Greens and Sinn Fein to have a good chance of picking up seats but in three seaters its next to impossible.