Martinizing

So, Paul Martin does the right thing and steps down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, thus opening the door for a newcomer, or at least, slightly new. Martin is closing the door on what I would consider to be, the end of an era dating back to Lester Pearson. In fact, you can draw a political line from Pearson to Pierre Trudeau to John Turner to Jean Chretien to Paul Martin spanning the modern age from 1958 to 2006. In this sense, the Liberal Party has come full circle. The question today is: What's next?
 
The party needs new thinking, new branding and a young [under 60] leader. It needs a vision that includes Quebec and offers voters real change from the rich-only elitism of the past. Unfortunately, I'm not expecting any miracles. It depends on what the party members want and whether the old guard wants to give up it's hold on the Red Machine.
 
Who's going to run? Look for Frank McKenna, the dashing former ambassador to the United States. The lively Brian Tobin from Newfoundland and some former Chretien cabinet ministers such as Allan Rock and John Manley, even though he has said no, as possibilities. [More about McKenna in a future column]
 
But wouldn't it be nice to see someone completely new? Such as Michael Ignatieff or Carolyn Bennett? And what will the fairest of the land, Belinda Stronach choose to do? If she runs, she may not win but will set the table for a future victory down the road.
 
The Liberal Party of Canada’s origins, going back to 1867, centered on reform. It was a party that wanted to do away with elitist politics and put more power into the hands of workers and farmers. They were opposed to imperialism and patronage. They were also in favour of free trade under Laurier, who also consolidated the Quebec vote. By the time Pearson came along, Liberals were the most progressive, national choice on the ballot.

Under a Liberal government Canada has evolved in its thinking about all sorts of social and economic issues, often for the better. Now it’s time for anyone who calls themselves “Liberal” to do the same.

That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.