Dear Editor:

Mr Byers had a choice: He could have said "no" to Mr Ford, that the local PC members needed to select their own candidate.

By not doing so, Mr Byers has shown his true character, that he does not believe in democracy, or it does not apply to him. This is true of Mr Ford, too, by anointing his chosen.

And, according to Ms Finlay-Stewart's editorial (Local PCs had no choice, 29th May 2022) he anointed eleven candidates in 2018.

This significant breach of democracy in action at the primary/citizen level -Ford's anointment and Byers's acceptance- provides us with insight as to how both will approach democracy at the Legislature level, which is to say with disdain.

All voters should remember this breach and consider voting for a party that honours and respects democracy at the primary level. Is there one?

Mr Byers should have said no, let the democratic system we trust in do its thing.

Disclosure: I do not hold membership in any political party at any level.

David Clark, Owen Sound