Steve,

if we allow our politicians to vote secretly, then we will be taking them at their word, which is a dangerous thing, as we know that they are not always up front with their views and policies, ala Don Brash and his successor Mr Key, and also our labour friends David Parker and David Benson-Pope who have a track record which is murky to say the least.

I welcome your call for reform, but i believe that the current system of porportional representation is failing our nation. when two parties in parliament represent 80% of the voting public, they should work together across party lines to ensure that our political system is not held to ransom by extremists from both left and right (The Greens, Maori Party, ACT). Instead, they spend their time in the debating chamber throwing mud and wasting tax payers money.

New Zealand seems to have forgotten that Politicians are employed by the public. we pay their wages, their additional benefits, and their taxi fares.

I have a new electoral system that i am developing as a part of my studies, which i believe will solve the small party problem, by forcing our political parties to be selected by a process of binding referendums, before the winners go on to a general election to see who will govern NZ.

I'll Keep ya posted!

Josh