If the supporters of the changes to the way candidates are selected for the Progressive Labour Party wanted to ensure that sitting MPs did not become complacent, they certainly achieved that on Tuesday night.Two MPs, veteran backbencher Ashfield DeVent and former United Bermuda Party MP Darius Tucker, are most likely lame ducks now, and are set to be replaced by long-time activist Rolfe Commissiong and political newcomer Diallo Rabain. By the time this editorial is read, another veteran MP will have learned his fate as former Cabinet Minister Randy Horton will have faced his branch last night.What is certain is that all MPs, regardless of tenure or the brilliance of their careers, should now be nervous, because they can be challenged and reselection is far from certain. Due to the opaque nature of the selection process, not much more is publicly known about it than that. The PLP only stated who won and who lost. How many people voted and how many votes were cast for each candidate was not revealed. That is especially difficult in the case of Mr Commissiong, where there were four candidates, including Mr Commissiong. In his case it is not even known if he won by an absolute majority or by a plurality.It is worth noting that the final decision lies with the PLP Central Committee, but it has been indicated that it is unlikely to reverse a decision by a branch unless there is a compelling reason. It has been argued with some justice that this is a welcome step towards more openness and democracy by the PLP. Certainly it eases concerns about handpicked candidates being parachuted into a branch by the powers that be, or that a Premier would use that method to consolidate power.But there are risks as well. The fact that some MPs are experienced and have been in office for some time is not intrinsically a bad thing. Understanding how to move the Government forward and how to succeed in Parliament are critical tools to effective governance and leadership. In some cases there is no substitute for experience. That that experience should be leavened with the energy and fresh thinking that new members bring is unquestioned; but a balance is needed. The difficulty with the selection process is the same one that bedevilled the United Bermuda Party when it was in power and the US presidential primary system, namely that the candidate who most appeals to the bedrock (and therefore almost by definition more extreme than the average voter) supporters of a party, who are the ones who actually take the trouble to take part, is not necessarily the candidate who will appeal to the critical swing voter in a general election.Thus the selection of Mr Commissiong, who has become something of poster boy for race-based politics, will have very little difficulty getting elected in Pembroke Southeast, a PLP stronghold, but his selection will already have energised solid OBA supporters and may not have a positive effect on swing voters in marginal constituencies.The message sent out by Mr Tucker’s deselection is less clear. The PLP has rarely been kind to politicians who cross the floor to join them, and there is a natural suspicion of carpetbaggers. But any Opposition MP who is considering such a move will think twice now given the treatment accorded to Mr Tucker. No doubt former UBP leader and PLP MP Wayne Furbert, who faces a three-way selection fight in his constituency, will be redoubling his canvassing efforts now.Other incumbent MPs would be wise to do the same. Clearly no seat is safe any more.