A growing dissent

The CP reports that Alan Riddell isn't giving in to expulsion by the Cons, bringing a challenge in court to the decision to toss him from the party. And he doesn't appear to be lacking supporters in the fight:

Neil McFadyen, longtime membership secretary for the (Ottawa South) riding association, said he and others on the local executive support Riddell in his showdown with national party headquarters.

“We think what’s happened to him is terrible and unjust,” said McFadyen.

“He’s been the victim of some party bullies who have put their own interests ahead of our riding association...I hope he wins his court case and those guys get fired.”

McFadyen identified the “guys” he’d like to see ousted as Don Plett, the party’s national president, and Doug Finley, the national campaign chairman, both key lieutenants of the prime minister.

Plett refused to comment on the affair on Monday and Finley could not immediately be reached.

It remains to be seen how long it takes for McFadyen and anybody else who speaks out against the central command to join Riddell as ex-Cons. But the list of riding associations who rightly expected better than to be on the end of PMS' leash is growing. And when even Con organizers can see the harm that comes from the party's complete lack of respect for anybody outside its power structure, there's every reason to think that voters won't be far behind.

Update: As noted by Robert, the Cons' executive council could instead (or perhaps in addition) remove the entire riding association. Though sadly, the bylaw setting out the exact process for withdrawing recognition doesn't seem to be among the Cons' "key documents". (So much for trying to earn some extra credit.)