The
word "support" can possibly be interpreted in more
than one way, thus it is important to clarify what support
means.
In
political terms, anything that a person does that is profitable
for, or in the interest of a political party constitutes
support.
Elections
Ontario (Ontario Election Finances branch) regulates the amount
and type of money (cash, cheques, etc.) a party can receive. It
also regulates the type of expenses that are allowed as election
expenses.
Political
parties will generate events almost entirely for the purpose of
raising money, which then is spent, within the guidelines, to
advertize and promote the party.
For
example, leadership conventions, by-elections and general
elections are occasions to attract people to vote for their
preferred candidate.
Leadership
conventions: In order to vote at a leadership convention
memberships is required, party executives are very careful about
organizing such an event. A change of leadership may be an
opportunity for financing the party for several years, or it can
be an economic disaster. People becoming members of a party
solely for the privilege of voting are supporting the party
economically and, when their candidate wins, they are supporting
both him (he gets notoriety, a salary, public recognition,
influence in the Legislature) and the party (it gets notoriety,
more contributions, more media attention, etc.).
By-elections
and elections: A person can support a candidate and a party
in many ways during elections: through volunteer work
in a local constituency office, by working in the field
(leafleting, delivering signs, etc.). However, even people who
are not overt volunteers can support a candidate or a party by word
of mouth, by saying who they are voting for (some endorsements
are very, very valuable to a candidate) or by simply voting
for that candidate. A vote for a candidate (in our plurality
system) is a vote for the party, as the party with most winning
candidates will be in power. Even when the party does not win
the election, more votes for a candidate translate in a bigger
government subsidy. An extra elected candidate also translates
in an extra office, salary and research personnel at Queen's
Park.
Thus
the argument that voting for a candidate does not
constitute support for the party is untenable.
