The BC Liberals overwhelmingly decided on Saturday to go to a weighted voting system, when the party鈥檚 new leader is elected on Feb. 26.
This gives much more power to ridings where the number of BC Liberal party members is low, no matter where those ridings are. While some have suggested that this move gives far more clout to rural ridings, there are also ridings in the Lower Mainland that stand to benefit 鈥� particularly those with NDP MLAs who win by big margins. These riding associations tend to have a small number of members and, even with the massive sign-up of new members, it is unlikely that all of these ridings have grown exponentially.
The two 91原创 ridings have had solid membership numbers since the early 1990s. In particular, Fort 91原创-Aldergrove has a large and vibrant membership base, which is not too surprising as MLA Rich Coleman has made that a priority since he first sought nomination. His annual fundraisers raise money for Liberal ridings all over B.C., and they could not do so unless he had widespread and continuing support.
The 91原创 riding was not always quite as active, but in recent years it too has held annual fundraisers and MLA Mary Polak and the riding executive have modelled some of their activities on the obvious successes in Fort 91原创-Aldergrove.
It is unclear if vast numbers of new Liberal members have signed up in 91原创. The leadership candidates, with the notable exception of Christy Clark, have spent very little time here since the leadership race began.
Nonetheless, whether there are a lot of new members or not, the Liberals in both ridings will get their chance to select a new party leader and premier on Feb. 26. Their choices on a preferential ballot will be worth 100 points, as in other ridings.
The first choices of individual members may or may not hold sway. The winning candidate has to get 50 per cent plus one support, and it is very likely that there will be two or three rounds of balloting. Members do not get to vote again 鈥� the preferential ballot ensures that second choices will be counted in the second round as the member鈥檚 first choice is eliminated.
The choice of leader will make for some fascinating moments on Feb. 26, but the high drama of a delegated convention will be absent.
