Rebecca Walberg, Edmonton Journal:
...When voters feel disenfranchised by a lack of candidates whose values they share, they tend to stay home, and this is part of the story of the 2008 election.
Overall voter turnout was 59 per cent, an unprecedented low for a federal election. The CPC lost 11 ridings by fewer than 1,500 votes, six of which had turnout below even this year's dismal average. Potential Conservative voters who stayed home rather than support a party that does not support them played a decisive role in these ridings, and doubtless in many others.
In a perfect world, parties would let their MPs and candidates express themselves freely as a matter of principle. An increasingly informed electorate expects to engage its potential representatives on all issues, not only those pre-approved by Ottawa. Since, in our parliamentary system, legislators are, at least in theory, answerable to their constituents, we should inculcate the habit of honest dialogue during campaigns, rather than wondering after the fact why politicians are out of touch with those who elected them.
If principle won't sway the Conservative party to adopt this philosophy next election season, perhaps the "Bruinooge effect" will. There is largely untapped support among Canadian voters for social conservatism, and for politicians who defend traditional morality and aren't ashamed to say so.
If the CPC won't court their vote, they will stay home until someone else does.
Oh Canada! Why such a hard time with freedom?
*full disclosure-born in Edmonton*
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