D Dawson

SINCE the introduction of MMP, true democracy is being eroded away in New Zealand.

The Oxford Dictionary defines democracy as, “State having Government by all the people through elected representatives equality of rights in society”.

We now have unelected members in Parliament on a list being given portfolios to rule over us. We have unelected members on our district councils. We have a Waitangi Tribunal dictating Government policy. We have councils wasting ratepayers money on marinas and rainbow pedestrian crossings with no mandate from the ratepayers. This is all very undemocratic.

Equality of rights were totally ignored by the previous Labour Government and I do not think an ex Prime Minister should be leading the Government's opposition party, especially one that doesn’t believe Māori ceded sovereignty.

With MMP, we only have a form of democracy, not true democracy.

Bring back first past the post.