The new rules represents a compromise between those who wanted fully open nominations controlled entirely at the riding level, and party headquarters which wants the power to hold back ridings for high-profile candidates.

Conservative MPs no longer have a lock on running as candidates in the next election under new rules adopted by the party’s national council.

Two party sources told The Globe and Mail the new rules allow a majority of party members in a riding to force an incumbent MP into a nomination race in minority Parliament situations.

In majority Parliaments, all MPs will have to contest a nomination.

The rules also codify the ability of the party leader to appoint candidates, allowing that to happen in a maximum of eight ridings that don’t already have an MP, the sources said.

See Full Page