Editorials

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Liberals approach crossroad in Ottawa

By: Editorial

Posted: 01/13/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

(DALE CUMMINGS)

Liberals from across Canada are meeting in Ottawa this weekend to select a new party president, their first gathering since the party was humiliated -- reduced to 34 seats -- in the federal election last May. As part of the rebuilding process, the party plans to change the way it consults Liberals and Canadians about its platform and the method for selecting leaders.

The party should also consider eliminating the restriction on interim Leader Bob Rae's right to run for the leadership.

Mr. Rae has been the most effective critic of the Conservative government in Parliament. He is articulate, experienced and passionate, all the qualities a party might want in a leader. He is not without political baggage, but there is good reason to change rules prohibiting his candidacy -- it will better test the field.

Ultimately, however, the party has to decide what it stands for, or whether it wants to stand for anything in particular other than the pursuit of power. So far, the Liberal party seems largely unchanged from its discredited past as supporters of big government, big spending, big programming.

A political party is a private club, so it is entirely the members' choice if they want to hang on to the ideas of the past, but the risk is that many Liberals may feel adrift, as many in fact do. It is not impossible that the party could simply fade away.

On the plus side for the Liberals is the fact New Democrats face a similar problem and even the Tories have to decide where they want to go over the next four years.

Policy positions are essential in politics, but the importance of leadership can't be underestimated, either.

Leaders have always defined their parties in Canada and they have usually set the agenda. Former Liberal and Conservative governments would have had different legacies and histories if different leaders had led them.

Thus, Pierre Trudeau defined the Liberal party of his time, Brian Mulroney set the tone for the Tories in the 1980s, and Jean Chrétien left his mark on the 1990s.

Canadians have rejected the old Liberal brand, but the party still has time to develop new ideas before a leadership convention in 2013. The work Liberals do this weekend could be the start of new beginning, or the beginning of a long decline to oblivion.

Canadians deserve a thoughtful debate about where the country is headed and how it intends to get there. So far, they've been served a lot of platitudes and very little in the way of substance.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 13, 2012 A10

(You must be logged in to post your reaction)

Your reaction?

More Editorials

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.