We must realise that Britain is geared to the straight vote and that to introduce anything else into the British electoral system, even proportional representation, would create confusion. By seeking to introduce the straight vote system into this country, the Government are obviously endeavouring to create political confusion. The Taoiseach has given no sound reasons for the necessity for this change. He cannot point to instability of government. He cannot show that proportional representation has held up any important legislation. When the Government wanted to introduce what they considered important legislation, the turnover tax, they found the means to do it. If they could do that with a majority of one, then one might well contemplate with fear what they could do with a substantial majority.
We must realise that proportional representation was introduced in the 20th century. John Stuart Mill was an advocate and exponent of proportional representation. I have here a copy of his book Representative Government. He made the point that, in a really equal democracy, every and any section would be represented proportionally. He said the majority of electors would always have a majority of representatives and a minority of the electors would always have a minority of the representatives. He said that, man for man, they would be as fully represented as the majority and, unless they are, there is not equal government but a government of inequality and privilege where one part of the people rule over the rest. He pointed out that in such circumstances, there is a part of the people whose fair and equal share of the things in the representation is withheld from them, contrary to all just government but, above all, contrary to the principle of democracy which professes equality as the very root of its foundation.
Continuing, he said that the injustices of the violation of principle are not less flagrant because those who suffer from them are a minority. In advocating proportional representation, John Stuart Mill felt that, without it, any government would ride roughshod over liberty-loving people. The evidence is there.
We have had a modification of proportional representation. If the Government say that, in essence, proportional representation is not good they cannot doubt that a modified form of proportional representation can assure the Government of majority government. There can be no question but that there can be a parliamentary majority for a government with this modified form of proportional representation. Having been in office for so long, Fianna Fáil cannot say that proportional representation has produced unstable government. People are suspicious that the Party which has benefited most by this modified form of proportional representation want to change it in favour of this complete majority system in order to consolidate their position. There can be no other motive behind the present proposal to change our electoral system.
The Taoiseach said we do not want a multiplicity of Parties and a series of coalition governments. If that had been said 20 years ago, the situation would be different but there is no question of a series of coalition governments today nor is there any question of a multiplicity of Parties at the present time. Our modified form of proportional representation is already very heavily loaded against the smallest Party in the Dáil.
The Taoiseach points to the success of the straight vote system in the United States, which is a very unfair comparison. The United States is a very large community and is far from being homogeneous racially, culturally, socially or economically. Therefore, it is admirably suited to the straight vote system. Our people, however, have been moulded by history into a unified pattern of life which is ideally suited to the proportional representation system. The altered form of proportional representation which we have is really extraneous to the country and its homogeneous nature.
The Taoiseach said this Bill provides more definite guidelines, that the bar of resort to the courts has been removed and that the Dáil may amend the Commission's report by a simple majority. The Taoiseach must have a very poor opinion of the mentality of the Members of this House. This means a simple Fianna Fáil majority. He says "a simple majority of the Dáil". Under the straight vote system, the simple majority will be Fianna Fáil majority—and it will be used.
The Taoiseach speaks in vague generalities of the reasons proportional representation has not worked. He says people become confused with the number of names on the ballot paper. Nowadays, with the mass media educating the public, I do not think this arises. The public are becoming more and more informed. The Government want to step in now to prevent the expression of individual thought and to get the majority before the public become sufficiently informed to make up their minds on what they want. That seems to be the only conclusion any sensible person can reach, that it is an effort by them to seek dictatorial powers before the people can decide for themselves.
They realise that nowadays people are giving a lot of thought to politics and the nature of governments: people want more and are exercising their rights to a greater extent. The Government realise this and see what one might describe as the writing on the wall and want to do something to consolidate their position. No other motive can be ascribed to their present proposals. The people are not enthusiastic about any change. They are very definite in their decision to vote "no" in this referendum. I think it will be quite a set-back for the Government and the Fianna Fáil Party when they realise that once again the people will say "no". We should like to be assured by the Government that this proposal will not be brought before the Dáil again for at least another 20 years.