SMALLER GRCS/MORE SMCS
 
21. Present electoral system to have most MPs elected in GRCs, with a limited number of SMCs, is sound.
        a. GRCs
               i. Ensure multiracial representation in Parliament
               ii. Encourage political parties to appeal to all races with moderate policies, and not to one race or other with chauvinist, extremist policies
               iii. Put a premium on parties which can field credible teams, and so demonstrate that they are fit not just to become MPs but to form the government
        b. SMCs
               i. Always have some number of SMCs to keep entry barriers low
               ii. Give adequate opportunity for smaller parties and independent candidates to contest

22. GRCs should continue to be main basis of our Parliamentary system
        a. But should refine size and number of GRCs and SMCs

23. Rules specified under the Constitution and the PE Act
        a. GRCs can have between 3 and 6 MPs
        b. There must be a minimum of 8 SMCs

24. In practice, currently
        a. There are nine GRCs with 5 members, and five 6member GRCs
        b. There are 9 SMCs

25. We should finetune the implementation of the GRC and SMC scheme, in the light of our experience
        a. No need to amend Constitution or the PE Act
               i. These specify the basic framework for the scheme
               ii. Within these limits, the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) has flexibility to work out specific sizes and configurations of constituencies to match the population distribution
        b. Can effect the refinements by making them explicit in the Terms of Reference to the EBRC, when I appoint the committee

26. There are advantages to having bigger rather than smaller GRCs
        a. They enable stronger, multiracial teams, including MPs with different backgrounds and skills, to serve voters more comprehensively
               i. e.g. pooling resources to provide economies of scale to run Town Councils more efficiently
        b. They require any challenger also to field a strong team and offer a serious alternative
        c. So they encourage responsible and credible political parties to emerge

27. However, also some downsides to bigger GRCs
        a. Harder for voters to identify with whole GRC or whole team of MPs
        b. Each MP has to look after his own ward, hence not easy for him or her to get to know voters in all the other wards

28. In the light of our experience, concluded that on balance smaller (less than 6member) GRCs have the edge over large (6member) GRCs
        a. Hence we should have more smaller GRCs, and fewer 6member ones
        b. Should not rule out 6member GRCs entirely, as sometimes the configuration of constituencies makes this the most practical option

29. When the EBRC is next appointed, its Terms of Reference will state that it should create GRCs such that:
        a. There will be fewer 6member GRCs
        b. The average size of GRCs will be smaller
               i. The present average is 5.4
               ii. The new average should not exceed 5
        c. This guidance will achieve our objective of having smaller GRCs, while giving the Committee the flexibility to do its work properly

30. SMCs � useful to maintain a limited number of SMCs
        a. However, over the years the number of voters has increased
        b. The number of elected MPs has also gradually increased, and may rise further as voter numbers increase
        c. We should increase the number of SMCs to keep pace with the increase of elected MPs
        d. At present there are 9 SMCs
        e. The Terms of Reference of the EBRC will state that it should create at least 12 SMCs

31. Changes to smaller GRCs and more SMCs may or may not result in more seats being contested or more opposition MPs elected
        a. That is not their purpose
        b. Ultimately, it is up to opposition parties to field candidates to contest elections, and up to voters to decide who they want to represent them in Parliament
        c. Purpose of changes is to make the GRC scheme work better, to strengthen the link between voters and their MPs
        d. Voters have a strong incentive to vote for candidates who will do the best job of looking after their estates, representing them in Parliament, and forming a government to run the country
        e. MPs have a strong incentive to do their best in these three responsibilities, and will work hard to serve their voters well, individually and as GRC teams, and so win their support.

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