Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has backed proposals by his deputy to reform the party's structure ahead of the next general election.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva arrives at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions yesterday to testify in the case involving alleged graft in the purchase of fire trucks and boats for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in 2004. APICHIT JINAKUL
Deputy party leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot, who leads MPs in the Central region, proposed the structure be modelled on the US system of primaries and caucuses. He said the system could be introduced for candidates who stand as MPs in Ayutthaya.
Mr Abhisit said several party MPs, including Mr Alongkorn, had proposed different ideas for party reform.
The proposals are being considered by the board of party executives.
He endorsed Mr Alongkorn's proposal, although he said the issue should remain an internal affair at this stage. It could be exploited by the party's opponents to create conflict among members and confusion among the public, he said.
Mr Abhisit said party members should focus on their role as the opposition to monitor the government, which is now pressing ahead with controversial bills to amend the charter, introduce an amnesty and borrow 2 trillion baht to overhaul the country's infrastructure.
Mr Abhisit admitted the party did not want to lose in elections, but he also warned party members that they must perform their duties as the opposition to the best of their ability.
"It is important for the opposition to vigorously monitor the government, and not to lose focus," he said.
Mr Alongkorn said yesterday he would introduce in Ayutthaya a selection system based on primaries and caucuses. Members can nominate themselves or nominate candidates to run in the next election, at a party meeting in Ayutthaya on May 4.
A second meeting will be held a month later to give candidates an opportunity to outline their visions and policies and then the meeting will choose candidates.
The list of candidates will be presented to the party's Central region committee for screening and sent to the party's executive board for approval.
Mr Alongkorn said the system will be open to all candidates.
It would be introduced first to Ayutthaya because its economy is the second largest in the Central region, covering 26 provinces.
Most importantly, the Democrat Party has never won a seat in Ayutthaya in its 67-year history. The system would expand to other provinces which do not have Democrat MPs representing them, he said. Mr Alongkorn said party MPs who support the system will present the proposal to the party's executive board for endorsement. The proposal would then be developed into a blueprint for party reform.