Effective government, whether single party or coalition, is that which reflects opinion in the country. The Liberal Party opposes changes in the electoral system which simply emphasise proportional representation at the expense of accountability. The Liberal Party is unhappy with the present rigid whip system in Parliament, but party list voting systems give even more power to the whips, as the MP's seat depends where he or she is placed on the list by the party, not on his or her support in a constituency. A whip system is essential for the effective management of Parliament but, given that STV gives the individual Member more authority, party solidarity needs to be earned, not imposed. The further advantage of the Single Transferable Vote is its adaptability to different levels of government and to consultative bodies.
Electoral reform is urgent.
The longer the present voting system continues the more there will be demands for referenda. Such demands are often based on the argument that parliament is unrepresentative of the electors' views. Being able to demonstrate that the electors' views are translated into representation within the House of Commons and other elected bodies, and that MPs are more accountable to their electors, will enhance the status of representative democracy and diminish the calls for referenda. Representative democracy is based on the concept of the consent given by the elector through the ballot box to be represented for a set period of time - up to five years in the case of the House of Commons. Those thus elected know that it is possible to take necessary but unpopular decisions early in the life of a Parliament, in the belief that their judgement will be proved right by the time they have to go back for a renewal of their mandate.