Conservative Party plans to acclaim incumbent MPs

Stephen Harper House of Commons

CBC News
Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Conservative Party’s plan to acclaim incumbent MPs draws criticism

The federal Conservative Party is moving ahead with reforms to its process of nominating candidates for elections that will mean incumbent MPs won’t have to fight for nominations in their ridings.

The proposal would declare incumbent MPs acclaimed as candidates in the next election unless two-thirds of members in their ridings ask for an open nomination contest.

The party is sending ballots on the issue to its members. Only those with a Conservative Party membership as of March 10 can vote.

The idea is to respect the wishes of members as well as free up MPs so they can direct their time and effort to bolstering the minority government in Ottawa, according to Gord Elliot of the party’s national council.

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