David Akin's On the Hill :: Conservative statement on the nomination issue

Gemini Award-winning reporter David Akin is the National Affairs Correspondent for Canwest News Service and is based at the CNS Parliamentary Bureau in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Conservative statement on the nomination issue

by DavidAkin on Wed 16 Aug 2006 10:04 PM EDT | Permanent Link | Cosmos

Garth Turner, Colin Mayes, Mike Lake, Rob Anders, and Deepak Obhrai are all Conservative MPs who, though they were put into their current position in a general election less than seven months ago may all have to face what could be a tough nomination battle to earn the right to carry the Conservative banner in the next general election. Turner now believes he may carry the day (and do read the comments — real interesting).

Late today, Mike Donnison, the party’s executive director put out the following statement:

Conservative Party Nomination Process
August 16, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario
On June 18th, the National Council of the Conservative Party of Canada
pursuant to the Constitution of the Party adopted Nomination Rules and
Procedures to be in place for the next federal general election. Those
Rules were sent to all 308 Conservative Electoral District Associations
across the country.
The Party clearly stated at that time, that unlike the Liberal Party, our
Party was committed to the principle that all ridings, including those held
by sitting Conservative Members of Parliament should be open for nomination
and that there was to be no automatic re-nomination of those sitting MP’s.
However, given that the Conservative government is in a minority situation,
and although the Prime Minister has stated our desire and commitment to the
continuance of our mandate in this Parliament, the Party has to be ready to
face a general election at any time. In fact, the Liberals have even
announced that they have put in place a contingency plan to conduct their
current leadership vote on short notice if necessary.
Given those circumstances, it is imperative that all incumbent Conservative
MP’s concentrate their efforts on the business of the House of Commons and
their constituents, especially once the House resumes sitting on September
18th. Therefore, those duties and responsibilities should not be deflected
by efforts they might need to expend in regard to any potential nomination
contests.
Therefore, the Party has decided to open up the nomination process in most
of the incumbent held ridings in order for those nominations to be completed
prior to the resumption of the House in the middle of September.
This decision both meets the democratic requirements of our Party as
mandated by our Party Constitution and at the same time meets the
requirements of a responsible government in a minority Parliamentary
situation.

Michael D. Donison
Executive Director

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Re: Conservative statement on the nomination issue

by BBS on Thu 17 Aug 2006 06:15 AM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

I noticed in your piece for CTV that you mentioned that contested nominations for MPs were unique to the CPC. I don't think this is correct. Bev Desjarlais lost her nomination in Churchill for the last election. Did some searching and found this Hill Times article where Brad Lavigne states they did not protect any MPs last time and had no plans on doing so this time.

Re: Conservative statement on the nomination issue

by The Cyber Menace on Thu 17 Aug 2006 10:44 PM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

Mr. Akin, I'm a bit suprised at your continuing characterization of these nomination procedures as surprising or odd. That's a strange way to look at democracy, isn't it? I would have thought that the Conservatives would be applauded for doing what they said they'd do. They're riskikng the politically safe thing to do in order to pursue the right thing to do. That's what openness, transparency, and democratization are supposed to be about. But you continue to look at all this as though the CPC has been taken over by body snatchers or something. Curious.

Re: Re: Conservative statement on the nomination issue

by DavidAkin on Sat 19 Aug 2006 05:08 PM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

If I seem surprised at this move by the Conservative Party, it is because it's a policy position that appears to work against what I perceive to be the overarching focus of the Conservative Party and its leader over the last two years: Forming a strong government As almost all its opponents now concede, the Harper-led Conservatives are very smart when it comes to politicking. It seems to me that the party leadership and Harper have convinced the party's grassroots at last year's policy convention to adopt conservative yet moderate policy positions that party leaders correctly hoped would lead to government.
Since he's taken office, Harper has consolidated his position with his core supporters and taken some steps to broaden his support with an eye towards winning a majority.
And, by the way, this is not me pontificating here: This would be the considered view of most Liberals, NDPers and Pequistes that I've spoken to over the last few months.
So, given the focus and the smart politicking evident on so many other issues, I guess I find it surprising the party took the position it did on nominations - a position that could cost it seats. Case in point: Garth Turner has hinted he will run as an independent should he lose the nomination. Turner's riding of Halton was last held by a Liberal. It's not too much of a stretch to think that an independent Turner and a Conservative candidate might allow a rejuvenated Liberal candidate to pick up the riding again.
So would it really be compromising democratic principles by allowing an MP who successfully faced a general election seven months ago to keep his nomination?
Some grassroots members often worry (and with occasional justification) that the party softens policy edges to win seats. They say it's great to have power but at what cost? Perhaps, on this issue, it's fair to turn the question around. Principle is great -- but is the Conservative party a party which stands on principle at any price?
Thanks for the feedback Cyber Menace!
And to Blue Blogging Soapbox -- thanks for the corrective!

Re: Re: Re: Conservative statement on the nomination issue

by The Cyber Menace on Sat 19 Aug 2006 05:32 PM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

Forgive me for thinking that you guys (the dreaded media) stack the deck against Harper no matter what he does.

I think you're a very intelligent guy. I think you report on the facts as you see them. But too many of you have an ingrained bias against what conservatives stand for and what they do. I just can't help but think that. Sorry.

Along with showing surprise at the move by Tory HQ, why wouldn't there be some acknowledgement of the democatizing aspect of it is a mystery to me.

You and Kate Wheeler were scratching your heads trying to figure it out the other day. IT'S DEMOCRACY! Why would that be such a hard answer for some of you folks?

Sorry for venting like this. But it happens way too often, even to seemingly well intenioned fellas such as yourself. Thanks.

Re: Conservative statement on the nomination issue

by BBS on Sat 19 Aug 2006 07:39 PM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

Much like SSM at the beginning of the last campaign, this is more strategic than principled. The party was committed to not protecting MPs this time. There were many that were outraged when this protection was extended for the last election. It was inevitable that several ridings were to face divisive nominations. Better to get them out of the way now, rather than just prior to an election call, especially for MPs. Not having protection was a disadvantage and possible distraction for MPs vs the Liberals. This has now effectively been taken care of.

Personally, for all Garth's hype, I would be very surprised if he doesn't win by at least 200-300 votes. Plenty of smoke and mirrors going on here.