Time for Politicians to Butt Out of Referendum Debate

News release 22 November 2011

A long-time electoral campaigner has called on all politicians to keep out of the electoral referendum debate and let voters decide for themselves. 'When New Zealanders vote in the referendum on Saturday they need to remember that the voting system is ours, not the politicians'', Philip Temple said.

'The politicians have already had far too much to say about which electoral system we should be voting for. To have them telling us which voting system we should choose is like asking foxes to design the hen-house.'

'It is especially reprehensible that the anti-MMP lobby has politicised the referendum debate by using the images of politicians Winston Peters and John Key to further the lobby's clear sectional self-interest. This reveals their contempt for the neutrality of the voting system and the views of ordinary New Zealanders.'

'We should not throw out MMP on such dubious grounds. A vote to keep MMP on Saturday is a vote for commonsense, stability and continuity in a voting system that has served us well and will continue to serve us well into the 21st century.'

Philip Temple has been researching and writing about voting systems since 1990 He was given a Wallace Award by the Electoral Commission for his 'significant contribution to public understanding of electoral matters.'

ENDS

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