The Editor, Scoop

Dear Sir/Madam

Tariana Turia is calling the decision of the Wanganui City Council not to change their name as a “tyranny of the majority over a minority”. While Maori certainly have claims to having been victimised in the past, are we to bow to every whim and wish of every minority faction? This is hardly a case of Maori being victimised. It is simple democracy in action. It would appear to me that Mrs Turia suffers from a "victim mentality". Every minority (we are all part of some minority) seems to wield the "tyranny of the majority" stick whenever decisions don't go their way.

Democracy is simply the will of the majority. If it isn't based on this concept then surely the opposite must apply, the "tyranny of the minority". Either we are ruled by what the majority of people want or by what the minority of people want. I may not always agree with the majority but that is a reality one must accept in a modern world. We can't make everyone happy.

In a 2006 Wanganui referendum, 72% of those who voted wanted the name to remain as it was. Surprisingly, at a recent Council vote on the issue, there were seven against the change and five in favor. One can only assume that the five who voted for the change had no interest in the democratic process of referendums or the will of the people of Wanganui.

We don't need “leadership that doesn’t mind making the hard decisions” as she puts it. We need leadership that gives people options and leadership that is prepared to listen to what the majority of those who voted for them want.

Steve Baron
Better Democracy NZ (If you publish this letter then please use our groups name as well)

ENDS

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