Carole James, B.C.’s New Democratic Party (NDP) leader stood in front of her faithful in Vancouver last weekend to announce to the world that her political machine is bankrupt of ideas.

The message was as camouflaged as a recycled Christmas gift, where the glitzy wrapping paper detracts from what is actually inside the box — yesteryear’s novelty.

In a dubious Canadian political first, James and her crew have chosen to use affirmative action to select candidates for the 2009 B.C. elections.

The plan calls for 30 per cent of ridings which the NDP does not hold to nominate female candidates.

Another 10 per cent of those ridings will be designated for “youth, gay/lesbian/bi/transgendered, persons of colour, aboriginal people and persons with disabilities.”

Cash and carrots will be dangled before NDP groups in Liberal ridings to declare themselves as affirmative-action ridings.

If the desired number of affirmative action candidates is not met, the NDP executive council will parachute a choice from the “under-represented” groups into ridings.

Translated, the NDP’s campaign map will have mandated at least 18 no-men-allowed ridings and another five based on color and sexual preference, among other personality traits.

But never mind the numbers.

The philosophy behind this platform is totally suspect and narrow minded.

Whatever happened to the best man/woman for the job?

Whatever happened to local democracy for constituencies?

James says the changes are meant to better reflect the “faces in our communities.”

She said the plan will be reviewed after the next election.

But some party insiders have called it for what it is – the NDP suspending democracy until after the next election with this affirmative action plan.

The selection scheme for affirmative action candidates is also a bit of a mystery.

While “winnability” is a big priority in the selection of candidates, there does not seem to be any consensus on just what profile will get what riding.

Will women candidates be placed in ridings where they are almost assured of victory?

Will Indo-Canadians be selected to run in Surrey?

Will the Chinese-Canadian — in a wheel chair — be asked to switch from West Vancouver to Richmond?

Will there be room for men in any of the winnable races?

We have said this before and we will say it again.

Affirmative action programs which use racial, ethnic, and gender distinctions fail in many critical ways.

It tends to cause an undervaluation of the genuinely-earned achievements of women and minority members.

This scheme will make every female, native, minority and physically-challenged NDP candidate suspect.

Voters can never be certain whether their choice is on the ballot sheet as a result of ability and achievement, or due solely to preference given because of race or sex.

The B.C. NDP under James has consistently failed to deliver on policy and platform.

Now it wants you to focus on who delivers the message rather than the message itself.

That is nothing more than the tail wagging the dog.