It seems a good time to ask the question, do candidates who do not participate in a campaign add anything to the political process?
We see that as a seemingly increasing trend. Political parties, in part to maintain status, and in part to hold on to the illusion of relevance, feel they must run a candidate in every riding.
On the surface that actually sounds like a good idea.
If a local voter is a supporter of a particular party, perhaps a recently launched one, or one on the political ideological fringe, they should have an option as often as reasonably possible to cast a vote in their party’s direction.
But generally new and fringe candidates are active campaigners. They are aware the likelihood of election is remote, but they use the campaign period to get their message heard. They rely on media to provide a level of balanced coverage to get their message out, and in so doing they might not just influence some voters, but may lead the more established parties to amend some of their ideas down the road, adopting concepts from the new voices.
Today however, we often see the established parties running candidates which are for all intent and purpose just names on a ballot.
These candidates simply do not get involved in the political process, and that simply does nothing to advance the system.
As an example, in this provincial election there are four candidates for the Yorkton constituency. As a riding Yorkton is rather compact, with the city at its core and as the major voting address. When an all candidates forum is organized here, it has weight as a vehicle to get a party’s message out to voters.
Voters who want to know more about the candidates and their parties are in attendance, as is media taking what is said to a far larger audience of voters.
Constituents should expect candidates to participate for a variety of reasons. It is a chance to see them handling questions, dealing with an audience, and taking part in some level of debate, all skills needed as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
And of course it is a chance to compare party policies head-to-head.
When a candidate does not participate it does the party they represent a disservice, as well as those voters who they hope to attract to support them.
If a candidate can’t manage to attend a key forum, like the one held last Wednesday by the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, to face the electorate, can they be considered viable representatives to speak on the constituency’s behalf for the next four years?
That is a question voters should clearly be moving to the top of their decision making list for the upcoming election.
Regardless of one’s political leanings, we should want an MLA ready to speak openly on our behalf about whatever issue arises in the ensuing years. Two candidates last Wednesday showed they may not be ready to take on that role.
