Over 15 years ago I got my start in politics with the Grant Hill group. It was an exciting time for me. Preston Manning, and Stockwell Day had finished their battle for leadership and we were working to win government in Ottawa.
We had shifted from the Reform Party (which is where my heart will always be) but people like Preston and Stock knew that we couldn’t win unless we were united country wide. There was still a piece missing – we had not opened the door to the Mulroney Progressive Conservatives.
Bad blood was still in the air but we knew we needed to stop vote splitting to win, so with a mixture of a little Democratic Representative Caucus and a new leader named Stephen Harper the Conservative Party of Canada was born. The day it was announced that our membership was going to vote on a merger between the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative parties I was not happy at all. How could we? Why would we? They were the rump of a once great party, barely represented in the House of Commons. Not only that but they were “Red Tories”! The horror, I thought to myself. How could we be in the same room as them? Well, obviously I was wrong and the bold move went well to make things work.
I remember vividly meeting with the other side for the first time in Claresholm after the merger. We were friendly to each other but there was still a lot of tension in the room. Remember, we also had been clashing with these folks right here in our own backyard during campaigns. We quickly got past it though and elected Ted Menzies, who was from the PC side, as our nominee for the upcoming federal election. As we all know, Ted was one of the best federal guys we have produced, a hard working, capable type who always made the time for his constituents. Ok, now that story time is over, let’s examine where we are today.
We have basically seen a similar thing happen here in Alberta within the conservative movement under different circumstances. The easiest way I can explain the split is establishment vs anti-establishment, as well as the red/blue tory issue. I don’t need to illustrate what has happened because we are all living it currently. Where to go now?
I think that Danielle Smith and her group of floor crossers had a decent idea. The only thing they missed was a little thing called consulting the party membership. Same thing goes for Jim Prentice. They would have been well served to have a press conference and ask both sides if they wanted to merge. I don’t think it necessarily would have happened then. The PC Party was in control and why would they erode their power? Still, it was and remains the only way to proceed.
This particular area of Alberta is especially interesting. We had a very strong PC MLA in George Groeneveld replaced by the leader of the rival Wild Rose Party in Danielle Smith - both good people who absolutely love this province, and will do anything to protect it. With both now out of politics, the issue here is the blood spilled between the two parties. I take full responsibility for being part of this fray.However, I will also say that now is the time to let bygones be bygones – the petty squabbles of the past must take a back seat.
We need to see leadership from both sides. Ric McIver and Brian Jean, I am talking to you both! This won’t be easy but it is necessary, and for those that think it can wait a while. I have news for you, it simply cannot.
Does anyone have any idea of the moving parts involved in merging political parties? Agreeing on a party constitution, policy platform, not to mention a party nomination will be time-consuming and, no doubt, full of fits and starts. There is also another small thing called fundraising to properly contest an election that is only three years away now.
These are just a few of the issues that will cause heartburn for both sides going forward. Am I always going to be happy being in the same room with certain people?
Honestly, no. But I am sure many will feel the same about me and I am ready to accept that everyone will have to work together whether we like it or not.
Recently I attended a pub night in Calgary with both PC and Wildrose supporters in attendance. No brawls or arguments occurred. I thought it was a great first step and, hopefully, more of these get-togethers happen soon.
If you can’t tolerate being in the same room with others who are as determined as you to rid Alberta of its NDP government then it’s time to retire and move on. Politics is about working together.
I am sick and tired of the old Conservative adage “let’s circle the wagons and then aim our guns inward.” My friend Ted Morton warned me years ago that the split on the right would elect a Liberal government. I laughed and said fat chance.
Well, the NDP is laughing at us now, and so they should. We have been foolish and pigheaded. Lesson learned, time to mend fences and move forward. Let’s take Alberta back!
