Sunday, April 19, 2009

How to be heard

John Snobelen's column today deals primarily with the Ontario PC leadership race. But his message on the importance of participating in party-level politics rings equally true for the Saskatchewan NDP contest:
In our system, leadership matters. Who the premier is makes an enormous difference in how life goes in Ontario. But unless you live in the riding of the leader of the successful party in the next election your only chance to vote directly for or against a leader happens during the leadership selection process.

Most of us decline the opportunity.

But few of us are slow to ask "who picks these people."

I think that's sad. You don't have to join a political party to exercise your right to vote in an election but you do if you want a say in the selection of the leader.
...
I'd like to think that most people just don't know what a huge difference they could make as a party member.

Until more of us figure that out, a few thousand people will go on picking the leaders, the local candidates and the platforms that determine the future of the province. They will decide what new programs to offer and how tax money will be spent.

Some will be long-time party supporters. Many will be encouraged to join by their trade union or professional association. Some will be recruited by their faith community. These are the few who have figured it out; when you join a party you get heard.
Of course, it's not yet too late for anybody interested in the NDP's race to join the party and get a direct say in the leadership race. And hopefully plenty more interested voters will take up that opportunity rather than regretting having stayed on the sidelines when the June convention rolls around.

Update: Chrystal has a different take on Snobelen's column. But I'd have to wonder how recognition of the degree of power that party leaders hold (which itself does vary from party to party) would make for a reason not to get involved in deciding who actually exercises the ability to dictate a party's direction.

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