Claudia Calleja
Labour proposes new electoral system for councils
The Labour Party is proposing a change in the law governing local council elections so that the majority of councillors elected would be from the party that gets the biggest number of first-count votes.
There have been times when a party obtained the highest number of first-count votes in a locality but a minority of councillors because of the system of transferable votes.
Labour wants the party that wins 50 per cent plus one of the first-count votes to have the majority of councillors elected, stressing that the system would better reflect the will of the locality's residents.
This was one in a series of proposals made by the Labour Party (PL) as an "initial reaction" to the local councils reform the government launched for consultation earlier this year. The reform is part of the government's vision for 2015.
The PL also proposed extending the local councils' term of office from three years to four, dropping the age of people eligible to vote from 18 to 16, granting the Ombudsman the right to examine local councils and to give Local Councils' Association representatives the right to be present when the Parliamentary Committee meets to discuss the allocation of funds.
"The Labour Party is presenting these proposals as it believes that local councils are closer to citizens and can better understand their needs... It is therefore important that even the opposition contributes to ensure that local councils are given the tools to work with," the party said.
In a 21-point document, the party also proposed ways of increasing residents' involvement by streaming local council meetings online and granting residents the right to petition and call a "consultative local referendum" on important issues.
Councils, the PL believes, should take a leading role in reducing water and electricity consumption and safeguarding the environment. They should draw up action plans for transport, waste management and pollution.
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Kevin Zammit
Dec 4th 2008, 09:09
This sounds like a great PNL (PN + PL) idea. Already local councils are biased and the masses follow party lines. Indipendents are struggling while councils are supposed to go between government and people.
What we need is less partisanship not more ...
It should not matter at council level which party rules! Is this the earthquake of change? sounds like old habits to me ...
Joseph V. Grech
Dec 3rd 2008, 17:43
In Malta no Regulatory Body exists which protects Third Party citizens from the dangers and abuse which they regularly have to endure thanks to the selfishness and /or inefficiency of a number of construction companies. People have been killed; others are seriously endangered at regular intervals of time. The OHSA (Occupational Health and Safety Authority) declares it is not responsible for Third Parties; the Police often intervene after a calamity takes place and not before - and they have acceptable reasons for so doing.
Our P.M. has promised to look into this issue. He may well be doing that...but to date the situation remains the same!
In the U.K. worried Citizens can ask the Council / Borough to intervene on their behalf. WHY NOT DO THE SAME LOCALLY? OUR LOCAL COUNCILS SHOULD BE ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE REPORTS OF THEIR CITIZENS CONCERNING DANGERS AND ABUSE AND IF NEED BE TAKE UP THE CASE ON THEIR BEHALF. That is how the most vulnerable of our society need to be protected...not expect the old and destitute to take up expensive cases in Court to protect their homes...and lives! May MLPN do something about this horrendous situation we are living day after day!
Karl Abela
Dec 3rd 2008, 17:34
''as it believes that local councils are closer to citizens and can better understand their needs... ''
I recall when lejber fought the idea of introducing local councils into our country just for the sake of opposing the government...what a classic U turn from lejber...it just goes to show that their hollow policies are directed towards grabbing votes only.
Joseph V. Grech
Dec 3rd 2008, 17:34
In Malta no Regulatory Body exists which protects Third Party citizens from the dangers and abuse which they regularly have to endure thanks to the selfishness and /or inefficiency of a number of construction companies. People have been killed; others are seriously endangered at regular intervals of time. The HSBC declares it is not responsible for Third Parties; the Police often intervene after a calamity takes place, not before and they have reasons for so doing. Our P.M. has promised to look into this issue.
In the U.K. worried Citizens can ask the Council / Borough to intervene on their behalf. WHY