The first ever "open primary" ....

.... is being used to decide who gets to be the next MP for Totnes.

Yes, it is the first.  Unlike the system of "open caucuses" previously used by the Conservatives - where any local resident can turn up at a meeting at which there is a vote - proper primaries involve every local resident taking part in either a postal or a formal ballot.  This hasn't happened - until now.

It'll mean that the Tory candidate for Totnes at the next election will have been picked by a selectorate of 60,000 plus, rather than 600 or so.

Far from upsetting local party members, who still get to decide who is on the shortlist, open primaries tend to actually increase local party membership.  And ensure that the winning candidate has a head start and local legitimacy. 

Done properly, primaries have massive potential to open up our system of politics and wrest control back from the SW1 people. 

Open primary selection was one of the key demands put forward by a group of 25 young MPs and activists in the June 2005 Direct Democracy manifesto to reform the party.

Three cheers to Totnes Conservatives!

Posted on 10 July 2009 by Douglas Carswell

Comments

Great start with the open primaries Douglas but for me during a general election I would also like to be able to vote for a leader of our country. I am no expert on election reform but if you live in a constituency with a safe seat you feel like your vote does not matter. Sounds a bit presidential I know but we need to feel that we have contributed to our politics for the next 4 years or so.

Kind regards
Paul

Posted on 10 July 2009 09:51 by Paul Nelson

Mr C. may I ask how 'spoiling' is avoided in this system? By spoiling I mean, say, opposing party members voting for Screaming Lord Such to be the candidate.

Posted on 10 July 2009 10:29 by wonderfulforhisage

Its my understanding that the local CA picks the 6 candidates on the primary card.
So there is no screaming lord such

Posted on 10 July 2009 13:56 by DominicJ

That will be fun in Totnes Having worked there its going to interesting

Posted on 10 July 2009 15:01 by Rohen Kapur

Are BOO candidates still banned though.If the party are selecting the shortlist they will still be banned so still not very democratic is it.UKIP gain.

Posted on 10 July 2009 18:38 by davmc

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