Party Could Become More Grassroots with an Igantieff Victory.

One problem that has plagued the Liberal Party since Trudeau was Prime Minister more so than leadership infighting, was the lack of influence the party's grassroots members had in decision making. This culminated in a blow up on the floor of the party's 1982 policy convention, and was instigated by individuals who are now major decision makers in the party today. All respect to those individuals who took part in 1982, the party never learned from that experience.

There is an exception. Prior to the 1993 election, the Alymer Conference took place, followed by the 1992 Biennial Meeting in which the party's grassroots voted on what became the "Red Book". The "Red Book" would catapult the party to victory in 1993, and set the standard for future campaigns. This concept was short lived, as the policy for the next four elections came directly from the leader's office.

The problem that the party has had is concentration in the leaders office, too much power in the hands of unelected officials, and a general intolerance to the party as a whole. It began after Trudeau nearly lost the 1972 election, and future leaders vowed to remove this system, but instead it got even worse.

Of the front runner leadership candidates, Michael Ignatieff enjoys the most support among the party's rank and file, but not necessarily among the old guard. That title belongs to Bob Rae. Rae is strongly supported by the party's decision makers from the Trudeau, Turner, Chretien and Martin years. Stephane Dion also enjoys support from these individuals as well. Even Gerard Kennedy and Scott Brison have supporters from these camps. Ignatieff has these people in his campaign, including Ian Davey the son of Keith Davey "The Rainmaker" and Liberal Party backroom legend, but for the most part Ian has not followed his father's path until now, and has only become involved in Liberal politics in recent years. Francis Fox and Denis Coderre have long been major forces in Quebec Liberal politics, but for the most part Ignatieff supporters are life long back bench M.P.s, riding presidents and organizers that have long been shut out of the major decision making in the party. It is far more likely that they will be more involved in the make up of policy and direction under his leadership, while a Rae or Dion leadership could simply return decision making back to the smoke filled rooms. (Several cigar aficionados support Rae, but that is no coincidence)

Now concentrating power in the PMO and Leader's office has produced electoral success for the most part, but in the end the party has suffered in the long term. With politics changing, and the Harper Government adopting a closed door approach to governing, an Ignatieff leadership will not only give more power to the Liberal Party , but for ordinary Canadians as well, and encourage more people to get involved in their political parties of all stripes.