I've written a number of times about issues the CPoC has been having with its grassroots. In Edmonton, the pattern has once again repeated itself: the party ignores its own riding association to parachute in a candidate from elsewhere, this time Tim Uppal, and once again, riding association board members quit en masse, this time to support Independent candidate James Ford.
Not only that, retiring Tory MP Ken Epp has apparently decided to sit out this intramural feud, and will not endorse either Uppal of Ford
I've fired off emails to some of the Edmonton—Sherwood Park riding association members and hopefully will be able to update this later in the day.
I think the former Conservative riding board members are disappointed that they didn't get their white woman, Jacquie Fenske, chosen as the riding candidate.
ReplyDeleteWhat Tim Uppal did to win the nomination what sneaky but within the rules. He won the nomination the EBay way: don't announce your intentions until the very end.
Now that some of the former board members are backing independent candidate James Ford, it will give the Liberals and NDP a chance to win the riding. Many times, independent candidates do not run to win the election; they run to split a party's vote--this time the Conservatives. Tim Uppal may win as a Conservative, but he will have a more challenging time trying to win as the conservative vote will be split.
When I read this this morning I knew you would have picked this up.
ReplyDeleteThis is similar to what happened in Garth Turner's riding.
This is a very interesting situation that is going on in the Edmonton-Sherwood Park riding, which also includes most of Fort Sask. I think this is going to be a very close battle between 2 conservative, in regard to "skinny dipper"'s comment "it will give the Liberals and NDP a chance to win the riding" simply just isn't going to happen in this riding. Ken Epp won the vote with over 37,00 votes, the next closest being the liberal with 9000 votes, so even if the votes were completely split a conservative will win.
ReplyDeleteThis decision people are going to have to make is which conservative they are going to vote for. Personally, my vote is going for Jimmy Ford. He has been a member of our community for over 30 years and actually knows what is going on in the riding, unlike Mr. Uppal who doesnt have a clue. I have done extensive research regarding this nomination and it just doesn't make any sense to me. While it didnt break any rules, morally it doesnt seem right in the way he won. Sherwood Park needs someone who is a strong and capable candidate, not someone who has lost to a liberal in 2 election, then lost to Mike Lake for the conservative vote, which in that election Mike Lake ended up winning against the liberal that Tim Uppal had lost to 2 times before.
It also seems odd to me that once Tim Uppal was nominated as the candidate in their riding, 8 out of the 12 members on the board of directors resigned. Very knowledgable, influential politial conservative people left for a reason....
I am supporting Jimmy Ford because it is the right thing to do! I will work hard on his campaign. The people in this riding deserve someone who knows and cares about the riding not just an Ottawa plant that is looking for an easy win!
ReplyDeleteJim's campaign needs help so if you agree with me come on over to the campaign office. the coffee is always on and there is lots to do.