We 'the people': mere powerless observers

First, leadership elections broaden our democracy and enable people to be genuinely involved in selecting one of the two alternative leaders. Many observers like to characterise Australian elections as being about leaders. It is oft repeated that people vote thinking that elections are about choosing the PM rather than merely a representative in the parliament. If people genuinely believe that they are electing one of the two alternative PM candidates in general elections, surely they should want some role in selecting those two alternative candidates?

Second, party leadership elections would increase the democratic legitimacy of the leader. Consider the amount of time that is dedicated to leadership speculation in Australia. Without any input from the electorate, the position of government or opposition leaders do not themselves have any significant democratic legitimacy. Sure, electors vote for a local representative, generally a delegate of a party who is pledged to vote for a member of their political party (or coalition of parties) in a leadership vote. But this is hardly a particularly profound source of democracy legitimacy.

It is no surprise then that leadership challenges and speculation are commonplace in Australia especially against the party in opposition. No matter who the leader of the opposition is - no matter how competent, charismatic or deserving - their position is prone to constant attack. The leaders of political parties, including the governing party, may be destabilised by implications (from the media or other parties) of dissent, suggestions of challengers or sagging opinion polls.

While the media has a role in perpetuating and exacerbating the frail position of party leader, the undemocratic process of leadership selection itself provides the basis for leadership speculation. In our Westminster relatives, both Stephen Harper and Gordon Brown may have been unpopular - but their leadership could not have been assailed without an open and public challenge.

Third, leadership elections might reinvigorate our ailing political parties. At the very least they would present an additional - very visible - reason to join a political party. Leadership elections would take power away from media, faction leaders and shadowy caucus meetings and place it firmly in the hands of party membership.

Of course, the power transfer away from the parliamentary party and factions toward the broader party may provoke party resistance to reform ideas, but that is no reason for the people to not pursue new ideas that have so much to offer. The real reason why reform has not been seriously considered by Australian political parties is that people don’t demand it. Ultimately, people get the government they deserve and expect, and if we want a better standard of politics, it is incumbent on us to go out and get it!