The federal Conservative Party’s new leader, Andrew Scheer, dropped in on Langley a few weeks back.
In the months to come, we will likely see the NDP’s new leader making his or her way through B.C., too. That party is choosing a new leader in early October.
There’s been a lot of change at the top in Canadian politics of late, and it’s likely for the best.
Justin Trudeau has been PM for less than two years, after a relatively brief period as leader of the federal Liberals.
In the next election he’ll face a fresh roster of opponents.
We have a ruthless tradition of punishing failure in Canadian politics.
There are few second chances when you run and fail to grab the top prize. That’s why Stephen Harper, Tom Muclair, and more locally, Christy Clark, have said their farewells to politics.
We test our politicians to destruction in Canada. If they can’t come up with a platform that connects with voters, they get replaced. And that often means replacing their platform, as well.
Scheer has been beating the drum for some old Conservative favourites – low spending and taxes – but he made a point of talking about party diversity during his stop in Langley. That sounds like he’s putting the kibosh on some of the quasi-xenophobic ideas tossed out during the last election and Conservative leadership race.
The NDP race has also been one driven by ideas.
New ideas are necessary for Canada to grow.
To see every party revved up and ready with plans for the next election is positive for our democracy.
– M.C.