I can name you IRB members who are extremely good and were also patronage appointments, for that matter. I'm not saying patronage does not permit good members to serve. What I am saying, though, in a functional term is this: if patronage is a prominent part of the choice, people who are good, who are trained, and who become excellent members may find themselves out of a job if the government changes. Then a whole lot of newcomers have to start. That is not an effective way to run a tribunal. That's all.
On March 11th, 2010. See this statement in context.