UK Holds It’s First Open Primary

Derek Fildebrandt — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:45:35 +0000

The birthplace of parliamentary democracy – Great Britain – has just held its first open primary in the selection of a Conservative candidate for a by-election. In what saw a massive turnout – larger than the turnout for most actual by-elections – everyone in the riding had a say in choosing who the candidate will be in the next election. This ensures that should the candidate be elected to Westminster, he or she will owe their primary allegance to their electors, not leaders.

Across the pond, Preston Manning has moved in to support this initiative, and it may well be time that we considered it as the next big push for democratic reform. As as always eloqount British MEP Daniel Hannan said on the development, “[the candidate] will be almost impossible to beat. Indeed, the only way that the LibDems could even dream of taking her on is by selecting their own candidate through a similar method.”

Who will open the floodgates here?

The Shout Heard Round the World

Derek Fildebrandt — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:10:58 +0000

Doubtless, many have seen this YouTube video by now, but I am continually inspired by the power of Daniel Hannan’s words as he drags Gordon Brown across the carpet. His “Devalued Prime Minister of a Devalued Government” speech, sometimes referred to as the “Shout Heard Round the World” is hailed by many as the makings of a liberty superstar of international proportions. It is perverse that this blistering attack on deficits, nationalization, over-regulation and statism was delivered in the EU Parliament, the very symbol of those plagues on modern economies.

It would be presumptive to say that this was the speech that signalled a shift in public opinion against the kind of policies we see taking hold in the UK, US, Canada and many other OECD countries, but his words encapsulate the anger of a growing silent majority.

fildebrandt.ca » Daniel Hannan

UK Holds It’s First Open Primary

The Shout Heard Round the World