The Independent MHA for Mount Pearl-Southlands is slamming the recently announced rules for the liberal leadership race as “a clear example of what is wrong with our political system.”
So far, John Abbott is the only declared candidate.
Paul Lane points to the $25,000 price Candidates need to pay to even be considered, on top of the amount of money that will be spent during the campaign process.
He says by continuing the trend of what he calls “ridiculous” spending limits we are limiting our pool of candidates to the extremely wealthy.
According to Lane, such a system leads to a “lack of appetite” among politicians to do things such as eliminate blind trusts, overhaul conflict of interest legislation, and amend legislation regarding numbered companies benefiting from public money.
Lane says many in the public do not trust the government when it comes to the potential influence of corporations and the wealthy, and the upcoming leadership race only adds to that mistrust.