Candidate Selection and the Illusion of Grass-Roots Democracy

Abstract

This chapter explains the recruitment and selection of candidates. The internal operating structures of parties are at their own discretion. The general pattern is that grass-roots members vote in constituency level conventions, but the party leaderships tend to prescribe the number to be selected, and may add to the ticket. Political experience is normally a requirement for selection, and incumbents are almost invariably re-selected. Gender quota legislation requiring each party to ensure at least 30 per cent of its candidates were women if they were to benefit fully from public funding was a novel complication that justified further central party interventions.

I am particularly grateful to all of the political party general secretaries and strategists from the parties and alliances along with the many candidates who agreed to be interviewed for this chapter. To a person, they were generous with their time and insights. All of the data listed in the tables were sourced from candidate websites and social media pages, political parties and interviews.