A chick does not spring new-born from the egg knowing which worms are the tastiest. Life can be a game of trial and error and nowhere is it more treacherous than in the game of politics. Politicos, the hangers-on of the political scene have much to learn but are a dime a dozen and easily disposable. To survive the years I did, as one of those groupies, took the ability to learn fast, build lasting relationships and be useful. Now that I am no longer considered useful, I guess I might as well tell you which worms will give you a tummy ache.
One of the more serious lessons is about recording someone who might be embarrassing him or herself. Nothing can throw a meeting into a tizzy better than to put a recorder on the table and ask someone to repeat what they last said. Not being a lawyer, I cannot say what the rules are about recording telephone conversations without both parties being aware, but it is not a way to make friends or earn trust.
In the case of Jody Wilson-Raybould, the MP has probably guaranteed her expulsion from the liberal caucus by recording the conversation between the clerk of the privy council and herself. The release of that recording will certainly have serious ramifications for the prime minister but it was also the former justice minister’s swan song.
While her career in politics might be over, her suicide mission could be taking Justin Trudeau out of politics with her.
One of the things you always watch for in arranging media opportunities for politicians is that nothing happens to make your politician look awkward. Like Robert Stanfield showing a lack of skill with a football in 1974, Justin Trudeau’s less than sincere ‘thank you’ to a Grassy Narrows protestor the other day was his fumble for 2019.
But you cannot un-fumble a ball. And Canada’s aboriginal peoples will be haunting Justin Trudeau throughout the coming campaign—for his failure at reconciliation, for his treatment of the first aboriginal woman in the cabinet and for his ignorance in dealing with the Grassy Narrows protestor.
He would hardly listen to this old apparatchik, but if he asked, I would tell him; he still has time to resign.
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Copyright 2019 © Peter Lowry
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