You need rules in politics just as you do in boxing. And if there are none, we need to write some. I note this because the chemistry of the Ontario liberal leadership has gone off track. A gentleman, for example, does not comment negatively on a lady’s age. It is especially inappropriate when the lady’s predecessor as mayor of Mississauga was a highly productive mayor into her 90s.
It reminds me of the time that True Davidson, long-term mayor of East York (later part of Toronto), was running for the provincial liberals in that area. She called me and said “I’m turning 80 during the campaign, how do I handle it.”
I told her to throw a party. I also advised her not to put 80 candles on the cake. It could be considered a fire hazard.
But I am not going to be overly critical of MP Nate Erskine-Smith for his oblique criticism of fellow leadership contender Bonnie Crombie. He should have been prepped better for a one-on-one interview with Bob Hepburn of the Toronto Star. Bob is a very experienced reporter and while he might have buried the remarks Nate made about Ms. Crombie in his think-piece for the Star, he would have been remiss to exclude them.
Hepburn tells us in his article that Bonnie Crombie’s leadership bid is obviously weighing on Nate Erskine-Smith’s mind. At the same time, Bonnie might be shooting from the hip and not waiting to assess the needs and concerns of party members. I think both candidates need better communications advice.
For Bonnie to deny the progressive side of Ontario liberals makes no sense. The liberal party of Ontario is a big tent party and progressives make up a large share of that membership. You piss-off progressives at your peril. For a candidate to say they are not needed is seriously paring down the percentage of liberal votes she needs to win the leadership.
She also needs to bear in mind that the Ontario liberal hierarchy has blundered badly in opting for the conservative’s ranked ballot approach to voting. It leaves the candidates having to worry not only about that first vote but second choices as well.
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Copyright 2023 © Peter Lowry
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