That's a matter of wording. GM proposed this using the language of statement (an effective technique to get things done). Ultimately, if enough are/were opposed to the proposal, it wouldn't be carried out.
Sometimes wording is important. Wikipedia always requires positive consensus, not negative. If we can't agree on something, we stick with the status quo. GM's email is worded as if he intends this to work the other way around, and he has no authority to decide that.