I WOULD like to congratulate Patrick McIvor for taking a stand on behalf of National party members.
As a former chairman of the Gippsland Federal Electorate District Council, I have been concerned for a long time that the party membership is being ignored by its elected MP.
I know that a lot of members are disgruntled by the fact their party is being used as a career path for the office boys with scant regard for the people who make up the party.
If Mr Chester has come to the view that a change in policy is justified, he should have argued the case through the democratic process of the party.
By not arguing the case for change through the party’s democratic process he has breached the party guidelines for policy change.
In a democracy due process is very important.
I think this shows very poor political judgement on Mr Chester’s behalf.
He needs a very committed and strong party behind him to win elections.
The net result of his actions on this issue has been to disenfranchise a large number of the members he relies on for support and assistance.
The really important question for the National party now is, can we continue to hold the seat of Gippsland with Mr Chester as candidate?
