The decision late this year by nine Wildrose party MLAs underlines the need for radical reform of the rules for those who jump ship to other parties.
Unfortunately, making that happen will be another story.
Those crossing the floor included Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Bruce Rowe and leader Danielle Smith. They follow the earlier defections of other party members like Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Kerry Towle.
In total, 12 people have jumped ship from the Wildrose party to sit with the PCs, reducing the once mighty Opposition party to a rump of five MLAs, the same figure as the Liberals. There are also four New Democratic Party MLAs.
Also, one former Wildrose party MLA, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Joe Anglin, chose to sit as an Independent member.
Anyone who is elected by their constituents as a member of one party, then crosses the floor to sit with another, should have to have that decision tested in a byelection, to determine if their constituents support that move.
After all, it is their constituents these MLAs are supposed to represent – not themselves.
If those floor-crossing MLAs really believe what they did is in line with the best interests of their constituents then they shouldn't fear running in a byelection.
However, it seems obvious they do fear their decision may not be endorsed, because they're certainly not offering en masse to run in byelections to ratify their decisions.
And there's little prospect of that changing. Why would they change rules that could expose them to the risk of not being re-elected?
That must change, even if that means creating an independent body to make that rule.
Constituents deserve the representation they voted for.
