THE REPRESENTATION OF MINORITIES. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—There seems to be a general feeling that in the probable event of a large extension of the franchise taking place, it is desirable that some plan should be adopted which would have the
effect of protecting a large minority in any constituency from being altogether swamped by a slightly preponderating majority.
Several ingenious plans have been suggested for effecting this object, such as that proposed by Lord Russell, that in all " three- cornered " constituencies each elector should be allowed to vote only for two candidates ; the permitting (in " three-cornered " constituencies) of the piling of votes on one single candidate ; the plan suggested by "G. E." in his recent letter to the Spectator of allowing to each elector an extra vote, to be given to any one of the candidates for whom he may have a preference ; Mr. Dillwyn's proposal, to limit each elector's vote to one candidate only ; and others. Would not the simplest plan of all, and one as effectual as any, be to leave the mole of voting in other respects exactly as it is, but to provide that votes recorded for one candidate only, i.e., "pluinpers," should count for half as much again as votes distributed among two or more candidates ? Unless I miscalculate, this would in all cases enable a united minority of two-fifths of a constituency (plus one) by " plumping " for their favourite candi- date, to ensure his return as their representative.
Of course the principle now suggested—that of giving increased weight to " plumpers," as compared with distributed votes—might be easily applied so as to hit precisely that point at which it may be thought expedient that minorities should begin to be repre- sented. If it should be considered that they ought to number more than two-fifths of the whole constituency, the proportionate increased value of plumpers must be less than above suggested ; if otherwise, more. But it seems to be generally admitted that two- fifths is about a fair proportion.—Yours truly, X.
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