Dear Editor:
Here’s something you should know about the Conservative nomination folk’s — it’s not an election — it’s the selection of our federal parliamentary representative, and anyone, be they Liberal, Conservative or NDP, can vote for one of the candidates, even if they are not going to vote for the conservative party on October 19th, 2019.
However, regardless of your political party affiliation, in order to vote you must purchase a Conservative party membership at a cost of $15. Without one, you cannot vote.
This does not mean you are a Conservative or intend to become one, as all you get when you purchase a Conservative membership is the right to vote during the nomination. After that, you can vote for the political party of your choice, and many voters who are not Conservatives are going to do so, in order to give someone else a chance to represent them.
Many voters who are not Conservatives but voted for Cheryl Gallant all along, desire a change.
The current nomination process is their first opportunity in 17 years to help bring about that change.
Every political contest comes down to the numbers. Because, whoever gets the most votes wins, and thus all those who could have, and should have voted – “But Didn’t” – have only themselves to blame if they don’t like the result, as a consequence of failing to do what they could have and should have – “But Didn’t.”
This article is not about who to vote for, but to inform people about the requirement necessary to vote, because when choosing your federal representative, whether it be Ms. Gallant or Michael Coates, your wishes alone won’t count for anything if you don’t vote for the candidate of your choice, as the democratic process is of no effect unless you avail yourself of it.
The deadline to buy a Conservative membership is January 3.
Donald E. Broome, Cobden
