.
In a postal ballot sent to 69,000 registered voters in Totnes in Devon, the 16.500 people who returned their forms have elected a GP, Dr Sarah Wollaston, to represent the party at the next general election.
Though the Tories have held open primary contests before, this is the first time they have polled all registered voters which William Hague said was, ‘... a way of opening up politics in a world where people want to be able to influence the decisions made on their behalf.’ Even the Labour MP, Frank Field, thought it was a ‘hugely important breakthrough’ though quite where it would lead he wasn’t sure.
Where it might lead ultimately is to a voting system that starts to reflect the declared wishes of local people, and it will be interesting to see if Dr Wollaston is elected next year in a seat where the Tories had a majority of less than 3,000 votes at the last election.
Judging from the performance of the present lot, the result is probably a foregone conclusion. One does hope so!
.
In a postal ballot sent to 69,000 registered voters in Totnes in Devon, the 16.500 people who returned their forms have elected a GP, Dr Sarah Wollaston, to represent the party at the next general election.
Though the Tories have held open primary contests before, this is the first time they have polled all registered voters which William Hague said was, ‘... a way of opening up politics in a world where people want to be able to influence the decisions made on their behalf.’ Even the Labour MP, Frank Field, thought it was a ‘hugely important breakthrough’ though quite where it would lead he wasn’t sure.
Where it might lead ultimately is to a voting system that starts to reflect the declared wishes of local people, and it will be interesting to see if Dr Wollaston is elected next year in a seat where the Tories had a majority of less than 3,000 votes at the last election.
Judging from the performance of the present lot, the result is probably a foregone conclusion. One does hope so!
.
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