Here’s what I have learned about political parties: I don’t like them

Work in Progress By Ivan Morgan

I have been a member of one or another since I was 16. I have campaigned for them, I have donated to them, I have helped organize them, I have talked people into running for them. I covered them when I was a journalist. I worked for one for 12 long years.

And the culmination of all that time and experience? I don’t like them.

To me the worst thing about political parties is the partisans – the “true believers.” These are the almost fanatical people who find their way into the senior roles in political parties (often making good money). They are the ones who will read this and tell each other, “See!  I was always suspicious of him!”

They will try mightily to get you to join to “make a difference.” They want your money, they want your vote and they want your time. They will tell you they “share values” with you.  Which will be true at the time and up to a point.

Another thing I don’t like about political parties is how much power ends up in the hands of unelected party officials. I am a democrat. I believe elected people should be the ultimate decision-makers. Too often in my career have I seen party officials bullying MHAs, telling them what they were going to do and say. It’s called party discipline and I have seen it abused.  I don’t like that.

You don’t have to take my word for it. Independent MHA Paul Lane has been saying this for years. He more than the rest of us knows what is wrong with political parties. He’s quit two already and took his chances running independently.

To my delight the good people of Mount Pearl-Southlands supported him and have elected him as an independent. Perry Trimper added to his already storied career by also running as an independent when the Liberals kicked him out, and he won handily. Good for the folks of Lake Melville! Eddy Joyce showed the Liberals where his constituents’ loyalties lie.

Please God – and you the voter – we will see more independents in the future.

I suspect if political parties were to become a thing of the past, we would be clear of the “saviour” mentality that has plagued this place for a very long time. That’s where people go crazy for a “strong leader” (invariably a man) who will take charge and solve all of our problems.

How’s that been working for us?

I think big business would find it harder to influence MHAs who were independent. Maybe a few could be influenced but the majority? On every issue? I doubt it. Gone would be those $500 a plate dinners for whatever party was currently in the ascendent. 

Money talks in political parties for sure. I have been in the room when the money told the candidate what he could and could not do. Always accompanied by party officials. That’s a story for another day.

Its not all bad. I know many, many decent hard-working folks in political parties, and I am proud to say some are friends of mine. Do we see eye-to-eye on many issues? Hell no. But we talk. From time to time some will stop me in the street to argue with me about something I have said in this column. Because they know they can.

Still skeptical? Municipalities run well enough, and they don’t have any political parties. We are a province with a population of just over a half million. There are plenty of cities in Canada with larger populations than ours which run just fine without political parties.

Our system is set up for political parties but that can change. Systems do. Why not 40 MHAs who work together in committees to make decisions on our behalf – committees that form and dissolve as needed.

My God I could go on, but I only get so many inches a week. I will be back here addressing my dislike of political parties more if the fates allow.

Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com