Thread by @kylegolsen

Thesis: the over-reliance on outside contractors by the Conservative Party of Canada for fundraising is the core structural problem that prevents the party from being successful. In 2020 CPC spent 96% more raising money per $ raised than the LPC according to returns. #cdnpoli

Spending is lower on internal staff per dollar raised - 28% less. Professional services? 18% less. Given professional fundraising contracts based on a % of money raised, CPC contractors have a huge incentive to keep the dollars flowing - no matter the strategic implications.

This has created a power base outside of the Leaders Office, outside of the Party executive who will provide immediate feedback if the central message track of the Leadership is hitting their fundraising targets. That power base can choose amplify other message tracks.

Message tracks from MPs which might only tangentially support the Leader's strategic goals, but tactically raise the profile of that MP by playing well on social and in the CPC dominated talk radio circuit.

So when a leader needs to lead—to try to redirect the worst nature of their base to a consensus, there is a near immediate feedback loop. Not only will fundraising drop and other messages amplified in communications, the consultants have incentive to be vocal back to caucus.

This undermines the Leader's ability to lead, and to consolidate the power bases in the CPC under a unified strategy. Instead everyone is running around tactically, trying to drive their individual self interested metrics: fundraising, social shares, media appearances.

In contrast, the Liberal Party has internalized this function. I recall from a @SusanDelacourt podcast, or perhaps her book, @calgarygrit talking about bringing call centres in house. This further concentrates control in two centres: the party and the Leader's office, both which

have known rules and structures for how one can exercise control. The Leader can use these mechanisms to lead, to shape the opinions of their members and bring them along on tough decisions. They have time to convince—the metrics will only be known beyond a selected few over a

long time period. Contrast that with the CPC. Feedback could be near instant. A day or a week. And of course the consultants talk. They're in politics! we saw this with Roxham Road a few years back. An initial measured decision, followed by rumours of unsatisfaction, followed by

a hard turn in public position.

The issue isn't a specific instance, but a general problem. A structural problem that will continue to undermine leadership of the CPC until it is fixed.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.