It was interesting to see which people said no to the Conservative Party this week. Rona Ambrose, Pierre Polievre and Jean Charest all said, "No, thank you." Susan Delacourt writes:
Just as Harry and Meghan’s story shed some light on the downside of the monarchy, the non-leadership choices of Rona Ambrose, Jean Charest and Pierre Poilievre might also force us to take a look at how political leadership in Canada is not exactly a prized occupation at the dawn of the 2020s.
It’s maybe too early to give this year a theme, but the first month seems to have been dominated by stories of aversion to titles and public life.
Polievre opted for family life. Ambrose opted for private life. But the most telling explanation for not running came from Jean Charest:
“The Conservative Party of Canada has undergone deep changes since I left in 1998. My positions regarding a number of social issues are based on deep convictions,” Charest said in a written statement. “I have a happy family life as well as a very active practice at the national law firm of McCarthy Tétrault.”
There was a clear subtext to what Charest said. Stephen Harper set the template for a leader of the Conservative Party. And it boiled down to one common theme: grievance. As the Leader of the Opposition, Harper was an axe grinder. As Prime Minister, he was the Axe Grinder-in-Chief. Remember the snitch line for "barbaric practices?" Remember the Mike Duffy Affair? Remember the Atlantic Accord and Harper's take on the Maritimes culture of defeat?
Who wants to be the Axe Grinder-in-Chief? It's a job that's not worth having.
Image: Pursuing Outdoors
