Right on, Belinda

I have never been a fan of Belinda Stronach. Indeed, I may even have mocked her from time to time for a superficial grasp of policy and inconsistent politics. But I am changing my mind. She has recently brought forth some of the best ideas for political reform since proportional representation and banning corporate donations to political parties.

Among other sensible suggestions, she advocates the election of cabinet ministers, or shadow ministers, by backbench MPs. This would improve politics and government in various ways. It would remove power from the excessively powerful prime minister while enhancing the importance of MPs. As a result, cabinet ministers would be much more connected with and responsible to their party, as opposed to being supplicants to the prime minister. Party leaders would be less elected monarchs and more first among equals in caucus.

This approach is already practiced in the Northwest Territories and by the Labour Partys in Australia and New Zealand.

I suggest going one step further. Instead of just government party MPs electing cabinet ministers, why not all MPs? And indeed why not have them elect the prime minister as well. The MPs are, after all, chosen by all of us, the party leader only by members of his own party. The prime minister would still almost certainly be chosen from the majority party but at least he would have the stamp of approval of all Canadians.

Belinda's proposals are intended for the Liberal Party. The other parties would be wise to consider them as well.