PS. OT (but there is a Levant/Anders connection, click on 3rd link above), Ezra has been dinged by the Law Society of Alberta and, yeah, I was right, Levant v. Vigna kicks off next week.
Showing posts with label Conservative Betrayal Of Its Grass Roots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conservative Betrayal Of Its Grass Roots. Show all posts
Saturday, February 06, 2010
On Stiffing The Grassroots
CPoC Central moves to protect Rob Anders, Canada's worst MP. This story has been unfolding for a couple of years now. Calgary West is one of the country's safest ridings: the Tories could run a three-legged gopher there and win by a mile. Yet attempts by the local riding association to find someone a little less embarrassing over the years have been constantly rebuffed.
PS. OT (but there is a Levant/Anders connection, click on 3rd link above), Ezra has been dinged by the Law Society of Alberta and, yeah, I was right, Levant v. Vigna kicks off next week.
PS. OT (but there is a Levant/Anders connection, click on 3rd link above), Ezra has been dinged by the Law Society of Alberta and, yeah, I was right, Levant v. Vigna kicks off next week.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Tories Bid To Rig Anders Nomination Successful
From The Calgary Herald:
Despite a hard-fought bid to unseat him, Conservative MP Rob Anders will not face an immediate political battle for the Tory nomination in his Calgary West riding.
An official with the Conservative Party of Canada told the Herald Saturday that none of its incumbent MPs faced enough votes to trigger a nomination contest in any riding, including Calgary West.
No mention in the Herald article, though, that the Tories arbitrarily changed the percentage of votes required from riding association members to force a nomination contest at 2/3rds. As Conservative party activist Clyde Fulton put it:
A balloting process requiring two-thirds of all members to request a nomination meeting is a sham with a predetermined outcome. While one could legitimately argue whether a simple majority or some greater percentage of voting members is appropriate, two-thirds of all registered members is an absurd hurdle rate clearly designed to simply acclaim all existing MPs, while wasting party resources in a pathetic attempt to give the appearance of having consulted the membership.
Just the latest example of Tories stiffing their own grass-roots. Have fun with Canada's "worst MP" , Tories.
Despite a hard-fought bid to unseat him, Conservative MP Rob Anders will not face an immediate political battle for the Tory nomination in his Calgary West riding.
An official with the Conservative Party of Canada told the Herald Saturday that none of its incumbent MPs faced enough votes to trigger a nomination contest in any riding, including Calgary West.
No mention in the Herald article, though, that the Tories arbitrarily changed the percentage of votes required from riding association members to force a nomination contest at 2/3rds. As Conservative party activist Clyde Fulton put it:
A balloting process requiring two-thirds of all members to request a nomination meeting is a sham with a predetermined outcome. While one could legitimately argue whether a simple majority or some greater percentage of voting members is appropriate, two-thirds of all registered members is an absurd hurdle rate clearly designed to simply acclaim all existing MPs, while wasting party resources in a pathetic attempt to give the appearance of having consulted the membership.
Just the latest example of Tories stiffing their own grass-roots. Have fun with Canada's "worst MP" , Tories.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Yet Even More Tory On Tory Violence Redux
This is from Calgary West, the riding held by Rob Anders, not infrequently described as Canada's "worst MP". His only talent is winning nomination battles, and then going on to claim one of the safest of Tory safe seats in general elections. Looks like the PMOs office is fixing local riding association rules in order to help keep him in place. Click through the links below for an unabridged version of a letter from long-time Tory activist Clyde Fulton:
The Conservative Party of Canada
1204 - 130 Albert Street,
Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5G4
Mr Don Plett, President
I enclose my Certificate of Appreciation, which I am returning in disgust over the manner in which you and National Council have subverted the democratic nomination process in the EDA of Calgary West, depriving grassroots party members of a long-sought after and well-deserved nomination meeting.
A balloting process requiring two-thirds of all members to request a nomination meeting is a sham with a predetermined outcome. While one could legitimately argue whether a simple majority or some greater percentage of voting members is appropriate, two-thirds of all registered members is an absurd hurdle rate clearly designed to simply acclaim all existing MPs, while wasting party resources in a pathetic attempt to give the appearance of having consulted the membership.
Now here comes the particularly interesting bit. The only feasible method of driving Mr. Anders from his seat is to 1) elect a new, reform-minded riding association BOD for Calgary West, and 2) have the new board nominate a candidate as Mr. Ander's replacement.
The first part of this process HAS INDEED TAKEN PLACE:
As you are acutely aware, Calgary West recently held its AGM in which a new Board was elected with a clear mandate to hold a nomination meeting. This was the culmination of a decade-long struggle to replace the buffoon who has represented this riding for the past 12 years. His offensive response was to simply brand as "closet Liberals" longstanding party members of integrity who questioned, challenged or criticized his outlandish behavior and dismal performance as an MP.
The change instituted by the Tory National Council--requiring two-thirds of all members to request a nomination meeting before one is held--has been deliberately crafted to thwart the thwart the 2nd part of the replacement process.
And now Mr. Fulton has gone on the War Path:
Historically I have taken a very passive role in politics. However this issue has mobilized me like no other. I will make it my personal mission to bring this travesty of democracy to the attention of as many people as possible.
If you believe a nomination process would have been divisive, you can imagine what using such a fraudulent process to deprive the newly mobilized membership of Calgary West of a legitimate voice in selecting who will represent them in the next election will produce.
The Prime Minister and the Party have the actions of you personally and National Council to blame for this deplorable situation.
This will be fun to watch.
The Conservative Party of Canada
1204 - 130 Albert Street,
Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5G4
Mr Don Plett, President
I enclose my Certificate of Appreciation, which I am returning in disgust over the manner in which you and National Council have subverted the democratic nomination process in the EDA of Calgary West, depriving grassroots party members of a long-sought after and well-deserved nomination meeting.
A balloting process requiring two-thirds of all members to request a nomination meeting is a sham with a predetermined outcome. While one could legitimately argue whether a simple majority or some greater percentage of voting members is appropriate, two-thirds of all registered members is an absurd hurdle rate clearly designed to simply acclaim all existing MPs, while wasting party resources in a pathetic attempt to give the appearance of having consulted the membership.
Now here comes the particularly interesting bit. The only feasible method of driving Mr. Anders from his seat is to 1) elect a new, reform-minded riding association BOD for Calgary West, and 2) have the new board nominate a candidate as Mr. Ander's replacement.
The first part of this process HAS INDEED TAKEN PLACE:
As you are acutely aware, Calgary West recently held its AGM in which a new Board was elected with a clear mandate to hold a nomination meeting. This was the culmination of a decade-long struggle to replace the buffoon who has represented this riding for the past 12 years. His offensive response was to simply brand as "closet Liberals" longstanding party members of integrity who questioned, challenged or criticized his outlandish behavior and dismal performance as an MP.
The change instituted by the Tory National Council--requiring two-thirds of all members to request a nomination meeting before one is held--has been deliberately crafted to thwart the thwart the 2nd part of the replacement process.
And now Mr. Fulton has gone on the War Path:
Historically I have taken a very passive role in politics. However this issue has mobilized me like no other. I will make it my personal mission to bring this travesty of democracy to the attention of as many people as possible.
If you believe a nomination process would have been divisive, you can imagine what using such a fraudulent process to deprive the newly mobilized membership of Calgary West of a legitimate voice in selecting who will represent them in the next election will produce.
The Prime Minister and the Party have the actions of you personally and National Council to blame for this deplorable situation.
This will be fun to watch.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Tory Reb Strikes Back...Again!
Charles Conn ran for the Reform Party in the riding of Mississauga West back in 1993, losing to Carolyn Parrish. More recently, he has been a persistent critic of the CPoC's lack of commitment to its party grass roots when it comes to the matter of nominating candidates. I have chronicled his complaints against the process that produced Melissa Bhaghat here, and produced Lisa Raitt, here.
Now Charles has a message for the Canadian people!
The history books are full of 'strong leaders' whose dictatorial, my-way-or-the-highway rigidity led to disastrous consequences for their people.
Perhaps it would be better for Canadians to keep the Harper-controlled Tories in check for a while longer by only electing enough of them to form another minority government.
Let's see if they can start to lead by the democratic policies the country so desperately needs instead of copying Liberal pandering.
Suggestion: unless your current MP has been an absolute trainwreck, re-elect him or her.
And whatever you do, whichever party is involved, shun like the plague every appointed parachute candidate who was shoved down the throats of members in so many constituencies. Just last fall, an impressive majority of Ontarians rejected MMP. Don't let the backroom party big shots in Ottawa sneak it in by stealth.
Charles W. Conn, Mississauga.
cwc@ceconn.com
http://www.ceconn.com
Take THAT, Ray Heard!!
Now Charles has a message for the Canadian people!
The history books are full of 'strong leaders' whose dictatorial, my-way-or-the-highway rigidity led to disastrous consequences for their people.
Perhaps it would be better for Canadians to keep the Harper-controlled Tories in check for a while longer by only electing enough of them to form another minority government.
Let's see if they can start to lead by the democratic policies the country so desperately needs instead of copying Liberal pandering.
Suggestion: unless your current MP has been an absolute trainwreck, re-elect him or her.
And whatever you do, whichever party is involved, shun like the plague every appointed parachute candidate who was shoved down the throats of members in so many constituencies. Just last fall, an impressive majority of Ontarians rejected MMP. Don't let the backroom party big shots in Ottawa sneak it in by stealth.
Charles W. Conn, Mississauga.
cwc@ceconn.com
http://www.ceconn.com
Take THAT, Ray Heard!!
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