Consensus government is a non-partisan, democratic system of government in use in two Canadian territories. Consensus government is also in use in Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
This system exists in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, territories with relatively large aboriginal populations, and was accordingly inspired by traditional aboriginal systems of governance. Members of the legislature are elected as independents from single member districts by simple plurality voting. As in other Westminster system parliaments the legislature selects the premier, the speaker and the cabinet from amongst themselves, and the government is dependent on retaining the confidence of the legislature. However due to the absence of political parties there is no formal opposition and instead of party caucuses members regularly participate in a caucus of all members of the legislature.[1]
While consensus models of discourse often require that a true consensus be reached, in consensus government policies advanced by the government are decided upon by majority vote; the government must therefore support policies that please a majority of the entire legislature if it wants them to pass. Notions of party discipline are not relevant to such deliberations.
The States of Guernsey (the island's parliament) last endorsed the system of consensus government by committees in 2002, when it rejected by a very significant majority a proposition to replace the system with executive/cabinet-style government.
Consensus government by committees in Guernsey is an alternative to party-based and ministerial government. Government departments are run not by individuals with ministerial authority, but by boards or committees of five members elected by the Assembly (parliament) of 47 members.
All major items of policy are taken to the Assembly, where they are approved, amended or rejected. Most items are determined by simple majority voting.
At the most recent general election of people's deputies (members), all candidates stood as independents without affiliation to any party. Political parties have existed from time to time, but with little success.
In 2009, a majority of members of Guernsey's government signed a letter outlining their continuing commitment to consensus government by committees and opposition to executive/cabinet-style government.
List of consensus governments
References
- ^ Kevin O'Brien (2003). "Some Thoughts on Consensus Government in Nunavut". http://www.parl.gc.ca/Infoparl/english/issue.htm?param=60&art=26. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
External links
- Consensus government (Legislative Assembly of the NWT)
- About Consensus Government (Gov't of Nunavut) (PDF file, 51.4 KB)
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