This is a critical time for Canada, but also for the Liberal Party. A new leader is being chosen to assume office at a moment of political crisis and economic turmoil. But it is how that leader is being selected that could ultimately have the greatest bearing on the party's future.
Technically and effectively, the next permanent Liberal leader is being installed by a handful of insiders, who agreed to cut the contest short and decide among themselves who ought to head the party. Their decision prompted Michael Ignatieff's last remaining competitor, Bob Rae, to exit the race.
Regardless of the extraordinary circumstances that motivated this process, it cannot be allowed to happen again. Liberals must move quickly to embrace the concept of one member, one vote. They must defend the principles of democracy in their own affairs with the same passion and determination they have shown in the House of Commons.
My views are not about favouring one individual over the other. I know and respect both Mr. Ignatieff and Mr. Rae, and I am deeply confident that either man would make an effective and appealing leader. And with Mr. Rae's withdrawal, I accept that the question has been effectively decided.
Indeed, the party should rally behind its formidable new leader. But, at the same time, it must press ahead urgently with efforts to truly democratize itself.
If we Liberals are going to be honest with ourselves, we must acknowledge that our ability to engage Canadians - to attract them, to excite them, to inspire them to donate their time and money to our cause - has eroded over the past several years. We can't simply stand by and expect this trend to reverse itself. We need to act. And we can start by recognizing that allowing party insiders to choose a leader does nothing but bolster an exclusionary culture of backroom dealings - the last thing we need in an age of growing cynicism about the political process and its participants.
We have the technology to give every Liberal a say. Until now, we've lacked only the will.
Since I first got involved in politics, I have been a champion of the one-member, one-vote principle. I fought hard for it at the last Liberal convention. It's not only more democratic - it helps to strengthen parties. When you cast a ballot, you claim a stake in the process and gain an interest in the outcome. Look at the United States, where Barack Obama re-energized Democratic politics and civic engagement more generally.
Liberals who favour the old ways must ask themselves: Why would people become or remain active in a party that asks them to join but then denies them direct input in the most important decision the party will make? By giving each member a vote for leader, we can showcase a new openness, connect more deeply with existing members and attract more new members.
The mass democratization of the Liberal Party is a key element to its rebirth. We must take steps now to revitalize our base and increase our membership by demonstrating respect for our grassroots. We must allow all members to vote for all future leaders. And we must improve how we reach out to and solicit support from these loyalists.
Stephen Harper has withdrawn his plan to eliminate the taxpayer-funded subsidy that provides federal political parties with much of their operational financing. But this isn't a time for Liberals to sit back, relieved. It's a time to take action - to recognize that the reason we were left so vulnerable to this partisan attack was exactly because we need to do much more to attract, motivate and keep members.
We have been presented with an opportunity to bring our party into the 21st century. I urge Mr. Ignatieff to use the May convention to join with Mr. Rae and vow to lead the charge toward one member, one vote for all future leadership races.
It's time to reinvigorate the party by empowering members at the very instant when interest in politics is intense. It's time to give future leaders the credibility and momentum that can only come from the full force of Liberal members themselves.
Belinda Stronach is former member of Parliament for the Ontario riding of Newmarket-Aurora.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081210.wcostronach11/BNStory/politics/home
