Introduction To the members of the Canadian Alliance, the election of Stephen Harper as leader of the party in March 2002 holds the promise of an end to the divisiveness and factionalism that have seriously impeded its fortunes in the last two years. The Reform Party of Canada was reborn as the Canadian Alliance two years ago, when Stockwell Day defeated Reform Party founder and leader Preston Manning in the Alliance s first leadership campaign. At that time, Day s easy-going charm and photogenic nature were seen as attributes that would help the party increase its appeal on the national stage. A Westernbased party, it had strong support in that region but had not succeeded in gaining seats in other regions of Canada, especially Ontario something it needed to do to become a viable national party capable of defeating the federal Liberals of Jean Chrétien. In keeping with its goal of reinventing itself as a dynamic, vigorous, national party, the membership had chosen Stockwell Day as leader. However, less than two years into his leadership, Day was forced to resign due to open and severe criticism of him from within the ranks of his own party. During the 2000 federal election, the party failed to make progress in Ontario. Day was held responsible in large part for the poor showing and subsequently criticized by factions and individuals within the party and within his caucus for his performance as Opposition Leader in the House of Commons. Eventually 13 Alliance members of Parliament either left the party or were expelled from caucus for criticizing him. Several of them even joined a coalition with the Progressive Conservative Party. Such open criticism of the leader, and splintering of the party caucus, is highly unusual in Canadian politics. Usually internal discipline is maintained, and MPs who defy the leader find their political careers going nowhere fast. However, in the case of the Alliance it was the party membership that shortened Day s political career as leader and initiated a new leadership race from which Stephen Harper would emerge victorious. Leading any political party is a daunting task, even more so for the Alliance, which has always claimed to be a grassroots party, loyal first and foremost to its members and constituents. This can mean that individual MPs are prone to acting independently in what they think is the best interest of the party, even if their actions conflict with those of their leader. How does one lead a party of elected members whose political principles emphasize respecting the interests of their particular constituents above all other considerations? At the end of what became a crisis of leadership for the party, Stockwell Day resigned, a new leadership race was held, and Stephen Harper was overwhelmingly elected as his successor on the first ballot. He began immediately to attempt to re-unite the party and, in the long run, to extend its base of support across Canada. But Harper faces many challenges: the campaign has left the party divided into camps loyal to different candidates, there is still pressure to collaborate somehow with the Progressive Conservatives (to unite the right), and there is the conundrum of how to effectively lead a party of highly independent-minded MPs. Harper s personal and political attributes, his management style, and the eventual outcomes of his leading the party offer the opportunity for a significant case study in leadership, given especially the expected result and the examples set by the Alliance s two former leaders. News in Review 17
Principles and Practicalities It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be aiming not at that goal itself but at some more ambitious goal beyond it. Arnold Toynbee Ideals An effective leader is one who has a vision, a clear sense of direction, and the ability not only to communicate that vision to others but to take them toward it. It has been said that such a leader is especially adept at conceptualizing and at abstract thinking. Research the meaning of these two terms and suggest how they apply to politics. Can you think of leaders, on the world stage or perhaps in your own community, who you think have these abilities? Practical Matters Good leaders are also practical, realistic, and able to analyze the short- and long-term meaning and effect of the circumstances they and their followers find themselves in. You will be assigned one of the elements below. After viewing this News in Review report, suggest how the element you have been assigned plays an important role in this news story. You may wish to consult a dictionary and consider the meaning of certain words. re-focusing image dissent competing points of view change political identity and identification a sense of duty social values financial concerns specialization and experience the principles of democracy Canadian regionalism coalitions diversity factionalism Follow-up Discussion A leader also has the ability to learn from experience, and move forward. What, in your opinion, can the Canadian Alliance learn from the experience of the last two years? How can it move forward? 18 News in Review
Why Stephen Harper? Until his victory over Stockwell Day in the Canadian Alliance leadership convention in March 2002, Stephen Harper had been somewhat absent from the national political scene. Although more prominent now in the national media spotlight, Harper has not been a stranger to politics, nor to the Canadian Alliance. He was present at the founding convention of the Reform Party (the predecessor of the Canadian Alliance) in 1987 and became the party s first chief policy officer. In that position his job was to draft the new party s platform and its statement of principles to clearly explain the fundamental beliefs that defined the raison d être of the organization. Harper s education and personality well suited him to this policy work. As he himself said, I tend to be an intellectual and policy-orientated and happen to think the party (Canadian Alliance) needs to start communicating some kind of policy vision to the Canadian public and its own members.... As you read the biographical information below on Stephen Harper try to define the issues he has been most concerned with during his life and political career. Stephen Harper was born in Toronto in 1959, grew up in the middle-class neighbourhoods of Leaside and Etobicoke, and graduated in 1978 from Etobicoke s Richview Collegiate. He then moved to Alberta to work in the oil fields, and later worked for Imperial Oil in Calgary. In 1985 he graduated from the University of Calgary with a BA, majoring in Economics. Having been involved with the Progressive Conservative Party since 1981, he took a position as executive assistant to Jim Hawkes, the Progressive Conservative MP for Calgary West. Five years later he left that job, disillusioned with the PC federal government, especially in regard to its economic and fiscal policy. He returned to university to complete an MA in 1991. In May of 1987 Harper attended the Reform Association s assembly on Canada s Economic and Political Future. At the assembly he gave Preston Manning (who was to become the first leader of the Reform Party) a paper he co-wrote called Political Reform and the Taxpayer. In the paper he denounced what he saw as the Progressive Conservatives liberal-socialist philosophy, which he deemed an economic disaster for Canada. Describing the Progressive Conservatives as too centrist, he urged a genuine conservative option, a Taxpayer s Party to represent the public interest of the taxpayer. The following October Manning invited Harper to give a speech at the founding convention of the Reform Party. Manning later wrote: The best speech and the most influential presentation... was that given by Stephen Harper on the subject of Achieving Economic Justice. The major theme of the speech was the unfairness of Confederation for the West. He wrote: Around the National Policy, the welfare state, and the Quebec question has grown a highly centralized political culture which is inherently... biased against Western Canada in its basic values and rhetoric. He concluded: We require a political party to put pursuit of the West s agenda at the top of its list. Harper was eventually named the first chief policy officer of the Reform Party. At the Reform assembly in August of 1988 the party s new policy platform, written by Harper, was accepted. It was titled The West Wants In! It was to become the election platform for the party, and later was edited into a shorter version, becoming the Reform s Blue News in Review 19
Book. In the federal election of the same year, Harper ran against his former employer, Progressive Conservative MP Jim Hawkes, in the riding of Calgary West. He and all the other Reform candidates failed to win their seats. The next year (1989), however, the Reform Party got its first seat in Parliament when Deborah Grey won a by-election. Harper went with her to Ottawa as her legislative assistant and policy advisor, while remaining the Reform Party s policy chief. In 1989, Harper began to have serious policy disagreements with party leader Preston Manning. Harper saw Manning as too concerned with making the party popular, at the expense of upholding its conservative values. At the time, Harper wrote... it is pointless to attempt to avoid the Right label, the key is to emphasize moderate, conservative social values consistent with the traditional family, the market economy, and patriotism. By 1992 the differences in opinion with Preston Manning had grown. Though still a member of the party Harper was no longer in the inner circle. In 1993 Harper ran in the federal election, and this time won a seat as MP for the riding of Calgary West. The relationship between Harper and Manning, however, continued to deteriorate. Harper publicly criticized Manning for accepting, as party leader in Parliament, a $43 000 expense account that did not require receipts. In the past the Reform Party strongly criticized what it saw as the extravagant perks parliamentarians receive. For breaking ranks Harper was publicly reprimanded by the party. In 1997 Harper decided not to seek re-election. He left Parliament to become president of the National Citizens Coalition; a conservative organization that promotes right-of-centre issues and policies. On his resignation as an MP, Harper said, Frankly, I m looking forward to being in a position where I can speak much more independently than I m able to do as a Member of Parliament. In 1998 and no longer a Reform Party member Harper was free to criticize his old party, which he did when it sought a right-wing coalition with Joe Clark s Progressive Conservatives. During the years 2000-2002, turbulent ones for the Alliance, the party experienced a crisis in leadership and collective soul-searching. And then a new leadership race was held and the results were decisive and unequivocal. Stephen Harper re-emerged from private life to become the new leader of the Canadian Alliance. Follow-Up Discussion In your own words, describe the sequence of events that resulted in Stephen Harper s emerging as leader of the Canadian Alliance. Do you see a chain of events that, in your opinion, rendered his emergence as leader a logical outcome? What forces or events primarily affected this outcome? 20 News in Review
Emerging Leadership Following the defeat of Preston Manning by Stockwell Day as leader of the Canadian Alliance, many party members hoped that Day would represent a new and better image for the Canadian Alliance. However, image was not enough; during and after the 2000 election key members of the party became increasingly dissatisfied with Day s actual performance. In an extremely unorthodox move 13 Canadian Alliance MPs, including senior party members Deborah Grey and Chuck Strahl, publicly questioned Day s ability to lead and called for him to resign. They in turn were ejected from the Alliance caucus. Although some returned, most of them continued initially to sit as Alliance members and then as members of the Democratic Representative Caucus. In an attempt to unite the right they joined with the Progressive Conservatives in the PC/DR Coalition. Continuing criticism of his leadership from within the party forced Day to step down as leader on December 12, 2001, and call a new leadership race. Day, like Manning before him, was determined to regain control of the party by winning back the leadership and confidence of the party. This he did not achieve. His defeat by Stephen Harper, however, has for the time being put an end to a divisive period in the life of the Canadian Alliance and given the party a new opportunity for leadership. The party members of the Canadian Alliance chose Stephen Harper as leader from four other key party members. To appreciate how and why Harper emerged as leader, it is important to examine his rivals for leadership and to assess the dynamic that led to his being chosen leader. The Contenders Four candidates entered the race: Stockwell Day, Stephen Harper, Diane Ablonczy, and Grant Hill. It soon became clear that the leadership battle was primarily between Day and Harper. Key issues enunciated by all candidates, however, helped focus the party membership. The Issues For a party that stresses policy, the Alliance s leadership race emphasized little of it. Two key issues, however, came up again and again. 1. Unite the Right Both the minor candidates, Ablonczy and Hill, were in favour of closer ties with the Progressive Conservatives. It is their belief that as long as the PCs and Alliance split the small c conservative vote, the Liberals will stay in power. However, both Harper and Day took the position that uniting with the PCs was unlikely as long as Joe Clark was their leader. The party s need to take stock of its own internal affairs may have hurt the chances of the candidates seeking external ties. 2. Moral Issues in Politics Harper accused Day of turning the party into a socially conservative movement when it was found out that an anti-abortion organization was selling Alliance memberships in support of News in Review 21
Day. Day, an evangelical Christian, has never tried to separate his religious and political views. Although he may be personally opposed to abortion, Harper believes that such moral issues should not be part of party policy. In an interview with Report Magazine (January 7) Harper said, I think that very sensitive and clearly religious denominational moral issues should not be issues of party policy.... I think we have to be a party that allows a wide range of opinions on those views. The Conflict At the heart of the campaign was the inept performance of Stockwell Day, who was now trying to re-assert himself as a viable leader of the party. And as the race progressed the conflict became nasty at times. In addition to the accusation noted above, later in the campaign Harper accused Day of being a born again unity guy, suggesting that Day was changing his stance on uniting with the PCs in an opportunistic attempt to gain more support. Day countered with the accusation that it was Harper who was secretly agreeing to reconsider unity with the PCs to gain the support of Grant Hill (one of the pro-unity candidates). Day further portrayed Harper as a quitter for resigning from the Reform Party in 1997, and even said that Harper was connected with a Western separatist group. Throughout the race there was clear animosity between Day and Harper. The Outcome Although the actual voter turnout it was a mail-in ballot was low, Harper won convincingly on the first ballot, with 55 per cent of the party s membership voting for him. Day came a distant second, with 37 per cent. The other candidates were far behind, with less than four per cent each. In his acceptance speech Harper told the Alliance membership You have just voted to move our party forward into the future. Day graciously told the party to rally around the new leader. Hill said that Harper s election offers the party a chance to move beyond the troubles that forced Day to step down. Although the party seems to be coming together as a result of Harper s election the confrontational aspects of the campaign have revealed deep cracks in the party. Harper may have received 55 per cent of the party s vote, but he still has the difficult task ahead of gaining the support of the other 45 per cent. Follow-up Discussion The last two years have been a public embarrassment for the Canadian Alliance, described by many as two years of a crisis of leadership. The new leader, Stephen Harper, must now attempt to reintegrate a fractured party. In your opinion, what must he do to accomplish this? What specific steps might he take to re-unite the Canadian Alliance? 22 News in Review
The Shadow Cabinet Any new leader must unite those who work with him or her to accomplish the stated goals of the organization. In politics, members of an opposition party can put aside internal differences by assuming specific, common, and focused tasks. An Opposition leader can unite the party after a leadership race by way of what is called a shadow cabinet, and especially by assigning rival leadership candidates important positions. In the Canadian parliamentary system the prime minister assigns senior MPs to act as the heads of various government departments, each having its own minister who is ultimately responsible for the implementation of the government s policies as they apply to how the department delivers its services to the Canadian people. These ministers collectively make up the Cabinet. The Official Opposition carefully monitors the performance of the Government, in order to draw attention to and/or criticize any policies or actions on the part of the Government that it considers contrary to the public interest or to the Government s stated goals, thus gaining a political advantage. To facilitate this role, the leader of the Opposition appoints a shadow cabinet. For every government minister, the Opposition leader appoints a senior MP to act as a shadow. He or she is the principal critic who closely monitors the operations of a particular government department. The shadow minister is therefore a specialist who works with the Opposition leader to challenge the Government and its ministers on its policies and the way in which they are being carried out. The Harper Shadow Cabinet When Stephen Harper announced his shadow cabinet, all his former leadership rivals received key positions, especially Stockwell Day, who became the new foreign affairs critic one of the most prestigious positions in the shadow cabinet. This was somewhat of a surprise because of their querulous relationship during the campaign and because Day has always been a strong advocate of Israel in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, whereas Harper has taken a more neutral stance. Some suggest that in order to counter criticism over Day s appointment, Harper assigned Rahim Jaffer, a Muslim, to be deputy foreign affairs critic for the Middle East. Outsiders may criticize Harper s decision as being based more on attempting to unify the party than on putting the best-qualified people in the most appropriate position, but within the party his appointments were well received. Former leadership candidate Diane Ablonczy (citizenship and immigration critic) said that Harper s choices prove the Alliance is more united than ever. Harper also used the opportunity to ensure that supporters who had been loyal to him throughout the campaign were rewarded, while demoting others who had been key supporters of Day. This common practice also ensures that those in key positions owing their high-profile jobs to the leader remain loyal to him. It has been suggested that Harper may be trying to avoid a mistake Day made in allowing his predecessor s principal supporters to remain in powerful positions. Follow-up Discussion and Activity 1. Suggest how the shadow cabinet mechanism could unite any opposition party. What actual procedures, information-sharing, or strategies might it produce? 2. Assign rotating shadow cabinet positions to members of the class. Each shadow cabinet minister will report weekly to the class on the government ministry he or she is monitoring. News in Review 23
The Other Alliance Until 1993 Canadians on the right of the political spectrum had only one real choice at the federal level: the Progressive Conservative Party. Since Confederation only two political parties have formed governments in Canada: the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives (the latter initially called the Conservatives). However, in 1993 the Progressive Conservative Party, led by then prime minister Kim Campbell, (Brian Mulroney retired from the PM s job before the election) was almost completely wiped out in the federal election. From having a majority government, the PCs were reduced to only two seats in the House of Commons. They didn t even keep official party status. This was partially a result of a country-wide dissatisfaction with the government of Mulroney, but it also occurred because those people (especially in the West) who voted small c conservative now had another choice on the right with the recent rise of the Reform Party, which won 52 seats in the 1992 election. Since then the PCs have regained official party status and currently hold 12 seats, and the Reform Party (now the Canadian Alliance) is the Official Opposition, with 62 seats. However, most of those seats are in Western Canada, and the Alliance has failed to make inroads in Ontario, Quebec, or the East. Both of the parties on the right are a long way from matching the Liberals, who have a substantial majority in Parliament. The Simple Math Canadian politics have changed significantly since that 1993 election. While the Liberals have managed to maintain a comfortable majority of the 301 seats in the House of Commons (seven are vacant), the Canadian Alliance, the Progressive Conservatives, the Bloc Québécois, and the New Democratic parties have struggled to increase their portion of the remaining seats. Many conservatives in both the PC and Alliance parties have become increasingly frustrated with the phenomenon of vote-splitting, which they think allows Liberal MPs to keep winning their seats. People who wish to vote for a conservative party used to all vote for the PCs, but now they have the choice of voting for the Alliance as well. As a result, each of the conservative parties receives part of the conservative vote. For example, if in a particular riding the PC candidate won 35 000 votes, the Alliance 40 000, and the Liberal 50 000, even though the conservative parties collectively received many more votes than the Liberal candidate, the Liberal candidate would win, because he or she is the single candidate with the most votes. Some members in the PC and Alliance parties believe that such vote-splitting occurred frequently in the last two federal elections, and that if their two parties would unite they would be able to defeat the Liberals in the next election. To Unite the Right In 2000 the Liberal Party under Jean Chrétien won its third straight election, with 172 seats, and further increased its majority in the House of Commons. After nine years of Liberal rule, and no single party in a position to challenge it in the next election some three years from now, many frustrated members of the PC and Alliance parties have come to believe that their only chance is to join together and consolidate all the conservative votes in Canada. However, there are significant issues facing any such unification of the parties of the right. Consider the implications of the following on the move to unite the right: 24 News in Review
Alliance Party Dissension: Widespread belief that Day was weakening the party led 13 MPs to defect from the party. (Most have subsequently returned.) Without strong internal leadership, uniting with the PCs was viewed by some as the only way to expand the party s base of support. Leadership candidates Diane Ablonczy and Grant Hill both campaigned to unite with the PCs. The Formation of the Progressive Conservative/Democratic Representative Coalition (PC/DRC): In 2001, seven of the Alliance MPs who rebelled against Day formed a coalition with the PCs. With the election of Stephen Harper, almost all the rebel Alliance MPs have returned to the Alliance caucus, and the impetus to unity initially provided by the PC/DR Coalition has now waned. Internal Party Diplomacy: Although opposed to uniting with the PCs, Harper is in an ambiguous situation, having to be seen to be at least open to the possibility, or risk alienating members of the party in favour of union. Wounds from the leadership race may be too fresh for him to be authoritarian and uncompromising in this regard at the present time. As leader of the PCs Joe Clark has nothing to gain and everything to lose in uniting the PCs with the Alliance. His party has 12 seats, the Alliance 62. If the parties united the PCs could be swallowed up by the Alliance, and Clark could lose the leadership. Stephen Harper has disliked the PC Party and its policies since he left it in 1986. He has only considered talks with Clark to satisfy the pro-unity people in the Alliance. The Outlook Soon after his election as Alliance leader Harper received an invitation from Clark to discuss unity. He skeptically accepted the invitation. Both leaders were being pressured into the talks, and it showed when nothing came of them. For the moment the move to unite the right seems once again to be stalled. Follow-up Discussion In your opinion, is the uniting of the right in Canada a possibility in the foreseeable future? What would be the advantages or disadvantages of such a union? How might it affect the overall political climate and dynamic in Canada? News in Review 25
Policies and Principles For Stephen Harper policy has always been a priority. In fact, he quit both the Progressive Conservative and Reform parties over disagreements on policy issues. Understanding the policies he supports and the principles and values inherent in them gives us insight into his ability as a political leader as well as the direction in which he may lead his party. Examine the information below from (a) Harper s own promotional materials from the leadership campaign, (b) his own words, and (c) comments others have made about him. Consider what policies are expressed and what beliefs are at the heart of them. Campaign Material Stephen is a consistent conservative thinker. He advocates smaller government, lower taxes, individual freedom, and personal responsibility across the board. He believes in grassroots democracy within the Canadian Alliance. He believes in individual equality before the law and opposes all forms of special privilege and reverse discrimination. Harper s Own Words Look, my record is clear I m not a centralist. I m a believer in division of powers between the federal and provincial governments and in provincial autonomy in resources and other matters. But I m an opponent of separation. I tend to come from the small government end of conservatism.... There are public goods, and there are issues that really are not applicable to market-based solutions. But I tend to err on the side of individual freedom and accountability. I think that very sensitive and clearly religious denominational moral issues should not be issues of party policy. Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialist country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status, led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for the task. If the Alliance is ever to become a party that could be led by a Paul Martin or a Joe Clark, it must do so without us. We don t need a second Liberal party. [After winning the Alliance leadership] We will continue to develop proposals for the country s future based on free enterprise and fiscal responsibility, on democratic reform and direct democracy, on limited government and our traditional freedoms and institutions, and responsible and sustainable social programs, on national unity and the equal treatment of all our provinces and regions. Through the Eyes of Others [On his reluctance to unite with Joe Clark s PCs] He is a principled man who seems prepared to let the Alliance become the NDP of the right influential, without a hope of rising to power nationally rather than bend to circumstance. an editorial piece in The Globe and Mail 26 News in Review
He presents himself as unbending, unwilling to make the compromises to appeal to the middle-of-the-road voters and traditional supporters of the Progressive Conservatives. an editorial piece in The Vancouver Sun In a mild way he s an ideologue, certainly a man who can be relied upon to put policy ahead of temporary advantage. Robert Fulford writing in The National Post His most commonly identified weakness as a candidate his unwillingness to play the political game, at least as it has traditionally been played is to my mind the most appealing thing about him. Andrew Coyne writing in The National Post Follow-up Discussion 1. What are Harper s views regarding the role that the federal government should play? How does he see his own policy being different from that of the governing Liberals? 2. What does he mean when he says, If the Alliance is ever to become a party that could be led by a Paul Martin or a Joe Clark, it must do so without us? 3. What is Harper s position on the relationship between the federal government and the provinces? 4. What is Harper implying by the phrase the NDP of the right? 5. Usually we admire people who stick to their principles, but Harper has been criticized by some for doing just that. Is there any validity to this criticism? News in Review 27
The Nature of Leadership The crisis of leadership that the Canadian Alliance has undergone in the last two years is proof in itself of the importance of leadership, especially in politics. There are, of course, many factors, historical precedents and events, and power struggles that result in a particular person being chosen leader of a political party. Nonetheless, an organization such as a political party that operates on democratic principles aims to elect a leader who is first and foremost effective effective in advancing the party s political ambitions, which in theory means winning elections and becoming the party in power. Party members therefore must consider carefully what leadership qualities, personal attributes, and skills they want in a leader. Underlying these specific considerations is the larger issue of the nature of leadership itself. What are the universal or generic qualities of a leader? Are leaders born or made? What different kinds of leadership are there and which ones are appropriate for which circumstances? Considering the comprehensive issue of leadership can help us understand what makes a successful leader. Examine the following quotations, which relate to the issue of leadership, and then proceed to the discussion questions. [Leadership is the] ability to get work done with and through others, while at the same time winning their confidence, respect, loyalty, and willing co-operation. Leadership Styles and Problem Solving de Bono s Six Hats, Stuart Palmer, Deakin University, Australia I think the great political leaders have a pretty clear and simple story line... the ability to articulate what you are doing, to be clear about it, and to stick to it is, I think, the essence of political leadership. Christopher Patten, last Governor General of Hong Kong in Conversations with History, Institute of International Studies, University of California at Berkeley Leadership is not an innate quality. It is a characteristic that needs to be developed and learned. It requires experience. Leaders need to experience the challenges of leadership in a variety of settings. They need to practise. About Leadership, Leadership Calgary Mr. Day and Mr. Harper exemplify the old warrior school of leadership, where strength is based on carrying the biggest stick... it could indicate that they are genuinely unable to grasp that more can be won through an inclusive approach and by working toward a real partnership where everyone involved comes out ahead. A United Right Has to Start With Trust, Diane Ablonczy, in The National Post Each person has a leadership style that they feel comfortable with. What students must realize is that there are different styles of leadership that are required for different situations. Leadership Styles, Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors Discussion and Activities 1. Working in small groups, make a list of leadership qualities, personal attributes, and skills that you think are common to all leaders. Explain why each is important. Is there one element that is more important than all the rest? 28 News in Review
2. Do you agree with Leadership Calgary s statement that leadership is not an innate quality? Why or why not? 3. With reference to different styles of leadership are required for different situations, suggest a particular situation that you have encountered requiring leadership, and the style of leadership that would be or was most appropriate for dealing with that situation. Stephen Harper s Leadership Stephen Harper and the Alliance Party currently face many challenges: healing the wounds from the recent leadership race, dealing with the issue of uniting the right, and increasing the party s core support from a regional to a national level, in order to become a viable alternative to the federal Liberals. A further challenge lies in the fundamental principles of the Alliance, which has always stressed its grassroots nature. The idea that an organization should be responsible first and foremost to the will of its party members and constituents is a sound democratic ideal, but it can also have a problematic impact on party unity and its leadership. Although Harper frequently emphasizes the grassroots nature of the party, he is very much determined to lead it in his own way. In an interview in December 2001, he was asked how he would deal with members of the party who had views different from his own. He replied, If I get a mandate, I ll use the full authority of the office to ensure things go the way I intend them to go. Follow-up Activity Stephen Harper has been described as a man with very specific and clear policies and principles, and as someone who has gone to considerable lengths to reconcile differing factions within the party. In terms of leadership, and given the crisis of leadership it has experienced, would you advise Harper to take a hard-line approach to leading the party or a conciliatory and compromising one? Whichever approach you advise, suggest two specific things Harper might do. Make your recommendations in a formal written memorandum to Harper. Post and compare the memos. News in Review 29
Discussion, Research, and Essay Questions 1. After studying the News in Review stories Western Alienation (December 1990), Stockwell Day s New Alliance (September 2000), and Stockwell Day s Misalliance (September 2001), write a one-page comparison of the three leaders (Manning, Day, Harper). In your comparison, suggest what factors played a role in each being chosen leader at a particular period of time in the history of the Reform Party/Canadian Alliance. 2. Visit and study the Web site of Leadership Calgary at www.leadershipcalgary.ab.ca/leadershipcalgary. What is the mandate of this organization? What are the underlying principles behind the work it does? Study one of the four case studies contained on the Web site. How did the person profiled gain experience in the process of becoming a leader? What qualities does he or she think are needed to be a successful leader? What personal and professional rewards did the individual gain from taking a leadership role? 3. On the Canadian Alliance Web site (www.canadianalliance.ca) you will find a section titled Policies. This policy declaration is divided into three main sections: Economic and Fiscal Themes, Social Themes, and Democratic and Governance Themes. Under each theme are sub-headings. Choose one of the themes and read the material in that section carefully. Write a report that summarizes the policy of the Alliance on the theme. Present your report to the class. 4. Conduct a comparative policy study by examining the policy statements from the Progressive Conservative Web site at www.pcparty.ca/en/policy/index.asp. Referring to these two policy documents, suggest how close philosophically you think the two parties are and whether the unification of the two is feasible or desirable. 5. If it is true that leadership is not innate, but rather learned, how can the Alliance members help Stephen Harper learn his new role as party leader? 6. Research a member of Stephen Harper s shadow cabinet and create a visual display profiling this individual. 7. Crucial to a leader s success is the art of communication; accomplishing the task of leadership requires being able to speak and write effectively. Evaluate the communication skills of Stephen Harper by identifying and replaying key moments in this video. How does he use language, metaphor, and other rhetorical devices? Most politicians use professional speechwriters. Use the leadership acceptance speech (available at www.canadianalliance.ca/harper/ march20speech.htm) Harper gave as a model, evaluating the writing skills necessary in this highly specialized field. Why is speech writing a skill critical to politicians? 30 News in Review