Firing the NL Tories for their own good

Back at it. I've been away from the blog for a while and much has happened since I last posted. While I was not blogging - I was following all the news and happenings both in Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.

While I must dedicate many posts to particulars - one theme has been prevalent throughout the couple of months. Our democracy is eroding and only we can prevent it from crumbling entirely.

The Conservatives in Ottawa and the Progressive Conservatives here at home appear to be ruling at their own will and ignoring the people who really control their destiny - us.

Our system of democracy places great power in both the Prime Minister's Office and the Premier's Office - and when the governing party has a majority - that precious power - one which they should be humbled by - seems to make them arrogant and dictatorial.

Both Bill 29 here and Bill C-23 in Ottawa demonstrate that arrogance.

Currently we have a Premier in waiting - Frank Coleman who will be handed the position of Party leader and Premier by acclamation in July. The provincial Tories have not had a leadership contested in 20 years. It's been a placing of the hands - however few - and a passing of keys to the office. The only say we as the electorate have is during a general election or some of the electorate in a by-election. Clearly this is a party not too concerned about people getting a choice of leadership candidates. The delegated convention just showed its hand or slight of it - clearly this process is antiquated and open for significant manipulation.

There is a real media story here and certainly our local journalists should show more interest. This would be in the public interest and serve as a great reminder that the people are not prepared to be fed what the self-proclaimed masters have chosen for them.

How many Cabinet and Caucus members ever met Frank Coleman prior to indicating their support for him? Were delegates chosen prior to any debate process for the candidates? Why did Frank Coleman become involved in the leadership process? What evidence is there that Frank Coleman ever held any interest in public office? We went from Lynn Verge to Loyola Sullivan to Ed Byrne to Danny Williams to Kathy Dunderdale to Tom Marshall and now Frank Coleman without once ever having a choice at a party ballot. This is very convincing evidence that people are being chosen by a few without any real consideration of party members.

Surely the PC's must be sent a political message - get your act together on leadership - open up the process so that any Newfoundlander and Labradorian who wants to vote can - and encourage not discourage a robust campaign with many candidates and plenty of open debate.

Remember also the last Tory leadership that was actually contested in 1995 still only had 2 contestants Lynn Verge and Loyola Sullivan. Prior to that it was 1989 when the leadership contest enjoyed 5 candidates - the eventual winner Tom Rideout. After he was beaten in the general election by Clyde Wells - Len Simms was appointed leader.

The PC's in this province and their backroom have not trusted their membership to choose the "right" candidate for two decades. The chameleon support or "big money" have their hands in all parties. The last leadership of the Liberals seen the people - not a chosen few - elect a leader. This of course is also encouraging as it can be said - that Dwight owes his position to the people not a chosen few. When one is prepared as interim leader to open the field wide and welcome 4 others to the race - one is willing to stand on ones own merit. It also demonstrates that debate and other points of view are welcome.

What we have been left with is a bunch of sitting Tories Cabinet and Caucus who sat on the bleachers choosing not leadership but cheer leading and the uncontested Frank Coleman who says he thinks they all did a fine job. Surely the Tories must do better or we might be faced with a Mulroney/Campbell scenario - where the NL PC's are replaced with a Conservative alternative. I'm sure there's a Peter MacKay like sitting on the Newfoundland and Labrador Tory bench waiting to sure up their importance. Or perhaps the Tories will hang on to a couple of seats in the next election - just enough to really start a renewal and hopefully precipitate a real leadership contest. How many of you think Frank Coleman is staying for a gig in Opposition?