Saturday, August 31, 2002

The old and new Conservative Party - THE COMMENTARY

By Joseph Planta

VANCOUVER -- Bernard Lord is 37 years old. That’s a young age when you’re in politics. When Joe Clark became prime minister at the age of 39 (though stodgy and old-fashioned even then) it was a big deal that he was so young. The rub on Bernard Lord is that he’s a political star in the making. His c.v. thus far is pretty good. He was elected leader of the New Brunswick Conservative party in his early ‘30s and soon was Premier by the time he was only 33. Being that New Brunswick is the only province in Canada that’s bilingual (Quebec is a strictly Francophone province), Lord speaks both official languages and does so with such ease that it blows both Jean Chrétien and Joe Clark out the proverbial water.

Last week at the federal Conservative Party’s convention in Edmonton, Premier Lord strode on stage to deliver a keynote address to the Tory faithful gathered. He had his speaking notes in a blue folder (in politics, the symbolism is important). He fluttered with ease in both official languages giving a rousing speech that electrified the delegates and impressed the hell out of the media pack. The ink stained journos of print and television all reported the makings of a new Canadian political player. Unlike the barnburning speech Stockwell Day gave a few years back at the United Alternative convention, Premier Lord’s had a whole lot of substance. Bernard Lord preached the effectiveness and sensibility of conservatism on matters economic and the liberalism on things social, like human rights and the lot. He’s giving the die-hard Tories -- who don’t want to capitulate and join the Canadian Alliance -- some hope. Bernard Lord, at his young age and experience (sorry, Stock Day), is well enough that people would notice and support a bid of his at the federal level.

When scrummed later he was asked if he’d make the jump from provincial politics and somehow be the saviour who’d reinvigorate the Tories with their meager electoral and popular support. He said no. Seems there’s a job to do in New Brunswick, and he’s game for another election bid come this fall. He hasn’t ruled it out and I expect sometime down the line, perhaps next year even, he’ll make a go, and he’ll be a major player on Parliament Hill. Just watch him.

Joe Clark when he spoke on Friday afternoon at an informal lunch, he did the unusual by giving a speech where he dropped some names as to whom he thought should try and make a bid for the leadership. Of course Bernard Lord’s name was amongst the list, and Clark went on for a bit lauding the speaker who preceded him. Other names include the usual suspects: Michael Fortier, the Quebec businessman who ran in 1998; Hugh Segal, the backroom operative during the heady days of Mulroney; Peter MacKay, the young Tory House Leader, who’s been the Tory star of the last couple of years; John Tory, who’s head of Rogers Cable and who ran Kim Campbell’s ill-fated election bid in 1993; and David Orchard, the anti-free trader, who came in second in 1998 and who’s really an active participant in a party that really doesn’t fit his beliefs. Other names dropped by the Right Honourable Mr. Clark were Scott Brison, Andre Bachand, Rick Borotsik and John Herron. Like Peter MacKay, these four are MPs in the current parliamentary caucus, and each have made unpartisan and effective contributions in the House. With the exception of Borotsik, who’s from Manitoba, all (including MacKay) are from Atlantic Canada, and are suitable contenders for the Tory leadership. Besides Mike Harris, whom I wrote about in a previous column, Jim Flaherty’s been mentioned. He’s the current Enterprise Minister in the Ernie Eves government, and served as a loyal minister to Mike Harris. He appeared briefly at the convention, and he was coy as to his presence. Was he surveying the delegates as to Mike Harris’ chances, or was he planning a run for himself? He came in second in the race that Eves won in Ontario, and he was demoted from the finance portfolio to the one he now holds.

All in all the Tory experience in Edmonton is something for most to wonder about. (Catherine Clark, the blond and vivacious daughter of Joe Clark and Maureen McTeer, appeared at convention and stated that she’s not ruling out a career in politics. Seems her father’s admirable achievements have inspired Catherine, and she could be kicking it up as a pol herself one day.) Sure, the Tory members themselves are reinvigorated and ready to dismiss the Alliance as another upstart. (It was good to see the fiery John Crosbie warning his beloved Tory party to not give in to the “morticians” who are the Alliance.) And sure, the field of hopefuls to succeed Joe Clark is deep and quite attractive compared to the tired Liberal lot of Martin, Manley, Rock and Copps. But the one thing that Edmonton proved is that the Tories aren’t willing to die or even think of working with the Canadian Alliance to give this country a decent chance at getting an opposition party. The most disappointing thing for all of us is that Canada is left with a Liberal government that goes on simply because it can and there is no alternative. That isn’t democracy at all come to think of it.

Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca