OTTAWA - Bob Rae is calling on federal Liberals to give up old feuds and fiefdoms and throw open the doors of their party to all comers.
The interim leader is using blunt talk to try to spark an intense debate among Liberal grassroots as they prepare for a mid-January convention aimed at rebuilding their shattered party.
The self-styled natural governing party was reduced to a third party rump with only 34 seats in last May's election.
Rae says Liberals need to give "the broader electorate" a role in choosing future party leaders and candidates for election.
And he says they need to take membership forms out of the hands of riding presidents and provincial associations.
He says they're sometimes controlled by "cliques" who keep new members out because they're afraid of losing control.
Rae also wants to simplify the party's constitution and its structure.
He says he wants to put an end to turf wars between national headquarters and the party's various provincial wings and commissions.
