Near the turn of the century, Canada’s major political parties cemented a turn away from delegated conventions to ‘one member one vote’ systems of leadership selection.
Thank you for providing a wider & deeper understanding of our political parties leadership process. I have long thought that the one member, one vote leadership often becomes a popularity contest as the last LPC leadership race so clearly illustrated. Really appreciate your insight of the consequences of our current practices. Could you comment on whether or not a move to a Mixed Member Proportion electoral system such as used in Germany would help to address the concentration of power in the PMO? During the rebuilding of Germany after WW2, the Marshall Plan required the implementation of MMP because it would prevent the shift of power to the executive branch.
I think if we don't change the culture of how parties operate then electoral reform is not sufficient to empower MPs. Expanding the size of the House, and taking certain powers away from party leaders might do as much.
Thanks for your reply. I have heard that one reason British MPs have more independence and therefore more ability to represent their constituents than our overly whipped representatives is because there are so many of them. A single MP's vote isn't instrumental in the success or failure of a vote. Perhaps expanding the number of seats in the House would be helpful.
I agree that there are many changes that would improve MP independence and caucus authority. One that immediately comes to mind is that leaders sign off on all candidate nominations. It is a life or death situation for candidates so of course that confers enormous power to the leader.
Thank you to those of us who are challenged in history and government knowledge.
We spent too much time in science labs.
Your writing is valuable.
for those of us
Terrific piece. Thanks, Emmett.
Thank you for providing a wider & deeper understanding of our political parties leadership process. I have long thought that the one member, one vote leadership often becomes a popularity contest as the last LPC leadership race so clearly illustrated. Really appreciate your insight of the consequences of our current practices. Could you comment on whether or not a move to a Mixed Member Proportion electoral system such as used in Germany would help to address the concentration of power in the PMO? During the rebuilding of Germany after WW2, the Marshall Plan required the implementation of MMP because it would prevent the shift of power to the executive branch.
I think if we don't change the culture of how parties operate then electoral reform is not sufficient to empower MPs. Expanding the size of the House, and taking certain powers away from party leaders might do as much.
Thanks for your reply. I have heard that one reason British MPs have more independence and therefore more ability to represent their constituents than our overly whipped representatives is because there are so many of them. A single MP's vote isn't instrumental in the success or failure of a vote. Perhaps expanding the number of seats in the House would be helpful.
I agree that there are many changes that would improve MP independence and caucus authority. One that immediately comes to mind is that leaders sign off on all candidate nominations. It is a life or death situation for candidates so of course that confers enormous power to the leader.
.. you’ve left out Political POPULARITY Polling
as The Daily News PERCEPTION Grooming .. 24/7
.. as if Canadians All Vote In Carleton Federal Riding !
because it’s ’BROKEN eh ! & Not one heart ‘glowing Free !