Search the whole pool
Party MP’s are selected from the party membership. Party membership is just 1.5% of the UK population. This is a tiny pool to select candidates from. Thousands of fantastic people with skills and experience to contribute to the UK as effectively excluded because their views don’t align sufficiently well with a political party.
The Open Party searches the whole of society. Everyone is welcome to stand. We can find the best and brightest.
Search the whole pool
Rigorous competitive process
Traditionally, local party members select party candidates. In many cases this can be a few dozen active members deciding who the representative is going to be.
We invite the whole constituency to select the candidate. Tens of thousands of people. Many heads to avoid a poor decision.
The process is rigorous: interviews, debates, webinars, Q&A over several weeks. This is an important role and the process should be thorough.
At the end, the successful candidate should be up to the job.
Rigorous competitive process
Capability, not connections
One’s existing political connections can be a material aid to selection with some other parties. Union official, senior local councilor, party employee, political friends and contact, etc. As with many jobs, who you know, can help with being selected as a candidate.
The Open Party provides a level playing field, where political connections are irrelevant. Prospective candidates will succeed on merit alone.
Capability, not connections
