Having decided how to vote on the proposed merger with the Canadian Alliance, the federal Progressive Conservative party is set to move forward on the issue. And that's not sitting well with unite-the-right opponents.

David Orchard, who ran for the PC Party leadership on a "no merger" platform, told CTV's Question Period he's prepared to consider "legal resolution."

"This decision clearly forces those of us who want to uphold democracy and the Progressive Conservative Party to look to the rule of law to make it happen -- because it's not going to happen from our management committee," Orchard said.

On Saturday, the president of the Ottawa South Progressive Conservative Riding Association, Bob Thomson, said lawyers had been consulted about the possibility.

"The Progressive Conservative Party has a legal opinion which suggests that members could sue people on the management committee if they attempt to (disband) the party, because their obligation is to uphold the party, so they could be held liable if they (disband) this party," Thomson said.

The comments came after senior Tory members decided their party will elect delegates to regional ratification meetings where the merger question will on the ballot.

Against a backdrop of angry protest Saturday, the PC Party decided that delegates from 20 regional hubs will be connected by phone for the "virtual national meeting" on December 6.

"It's constitutional, it's legal and it's fair," Progressive Conservative leader Peter MacKay said of the controversial decision.

But the decision doesn't sit well with Orchard, who placed behind MacKay in the PC leadership race. The two men struck a deal before the final ballot in which MacKay pledged not to engage in unite-the-right talks.

"It's a set-back in the sense that the party brass have decided to simply rubber stamp and force this thing through," Orchard said Sunday.

"This is a vote to dissolve the party... against the wishes of the clear majority who have twice, three times spoken on this issue in the last three years."

Alliance MP John Reynolds, who was appearing on Question Period with Orchard, said Orchard's got it all wrong.

"I remember my own party when we did the United Alternative, about a third of our caucus was against it," Reynolds told Question Period. "But ninety-some-odd per cent of the members voted for it, and I think that's exactly what's going to happen in this great union."

It's a point Orchard wasn't keen to argue because, he says, that's exactly what's going to happen.

"Your party's been overwhelming this vote," Orchard charged, referring to what he believes is a flood of Alliance members buying up PC Party memberships ahead of the crucial vote.

In Orchard's view, the recent leadership race drummed up all the legitimate new Tory members possible

"Leadership candidates turned over every rock to find every member, everyone who wanted to be a member of the party joined up. These people that are joining now are joining to vote to destroy and dissolve the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada."

Members of both parties have until Dec. 12 to ratify the merger. Two-thirds of Tory members must approve the deal. If that hurdle is passed, a new leader would be selected March 21.