I'm glad someone else brought this up

This is a very telling bit of news.  Former MP Inky Mark has publicly voiced concerns over the process in which candidates are selected.

I am glad that this has finally hit the harsh light of day.  I had been actively involved in my local EDA and was completely frustrated by the nomination process to get a candidate in place.  Still am. 

The candidate search process was and is clearly pro forma.  There is no taking this to the membership.  Some ridings have candidates that they can get into the community before a writ is dropped and some (like the one I live in) are being denied this advantage.

HQ seems to be waiting for someone they deem suitable to show interest and if not,then look up.  What's that?  Is it a bird? A plane? No wait, it's parachute candidate.

Let me state that my local EDA works very hard.  The people who volunteer are good people.  People who are hard pressed.  Much put upon by the party. But, they have no more control over this process than any other EDA.

This is a problem. 

The power structure of the Conservative party is apparently forgetting an important lesson.  It's simple.  The Reform Party.

HQ is forgetting just who they work for. 

The membership doesn't need the suits on the Hill to tell them what to think.  We can do that very well for ourselves thank you very much.  In fact, it's the membership that lays down the law,so to speak.  We decide what works for us and what doesn't.  And guess what else the membership can do?  That's right.  Money and votes can walk away.  Remember Preston Manning?  How many votes and dollars did he take from the PC party?  You'd think Harper would be acutely aware of that.

Or perhaps HQ needs a little more recent lesson.  Look at Alberta.  How about Danielle Smith?

Conservative "leadership" needs to change this paternalistic attitude.  One member, one vote and every member gets to have a say. 

I once saw an accident.  I saw it coming.  I saw the speeding car and I saw the red light.  I knew that car was going to hit the other car going through the intersection.  Couldn't stop it.  All I could do was call 911 and run to provide assistance.

I see a crash about to happen to the Conservative Party of Canada.  I am helpless to stop it.  But it can be prevented.  Perhaps Nigel Wright will set things right. 

I hope. 

I have hope.