The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
PC Leadership in Manitoba Progressive Conservative annual meetings, conventions and policy conferences often tend to be straightforward opportunities for Tories to get together, exchange ideas and have fun. Unless the question of a leadership vote arises. The leadership resolution can be brought forward in any non-election year when the party is in opposition. Leaders, of course, hate these votes, but they do give the membership a say about the leadership. Annual meetings always include election of officers, policy proposals, resolutions for debate, etc. but the question of leadership is always cause for excitement. The leadership resolution at the November 2005 PC annual meeting was different from those in the past, as it came out fairly early, moved by executive committee member Sandy Sager and seconded by rookie Morris MLA Mavis Taillieu. It was also supported by several MLAs, such as Myrna Driedger, ex-cabinet minister Bonnie Mitchelson, Leann Rowat from Minnedosa, and, surprisingly, Jack Reimer, longtime MLA from Southdale, all of whom spoke for the resolution in the debate. For me, it was as Yogi Berra said: "Dj vu all over again." We had been through this in 1986-87 with Gary Filmon. Gary had lost the 1986 election to Howard Pauley, but it was a squeaker. At meetings and by phone, this writer, then party president, received complaints about Gary's lack of leadership ability Ð he was too nice a guy, too soft, can't beat the NDP, etc. Believe it or not, some of the complaints were from some of the same people after outgoing leader Stuart Murray. At the annual meeting, the resolution on leadership did not come up until around 11 p.m. Saturday when it was delivered to my hotel room to be presented Sunday morning. Gary's assistant and I spoke and determined that Filmon would move the resolution, which he did and received about 65 per cent approval. This would be the last leadership resolution for about 20 years, and as everyone knows Filmon went on to win elections in 1988, '90, and '95 Ð beating Gary Doer each time. If '86-87 wasn't a great time for Filmon Ð there was an inside rumour that he was going to quit but was talked out of it by wife Janice Ð this past year has not been a good one for Stuart Murray. Many press reporters urged Stuart to quit, mainly for the same reasons as Filmon, but Stuart is not a quitter. He did his best to rally support and punted Driedger and Mitchelson to the back benches to show his authority (a good or bad move?) He made two great and fiery speeches at the dinner and opening. He was everywhere, and as I pinned on my "I'm for Stu" badge, said to me, "Gosh, I'm glad you're here, Roger, it's going to be close." Surprisingly, he was right. Before the resolution debate, friend Sandy Sager came over and tried to convince me to switch, saying there were at least five good people interested in Stu's job, and showed me a vicious anti-Murray article from The Winnipeg Sun. Twenty-year MLA Bonnie Mitchelson told me she had been questioned by a Free Press reporter who asked the same question seven times. Finally she said, "What answer do you want?" I told her that this guy doesn't care what you say, as he will write an anti-conservative article anyway. Bonnie's support on the "yes" side was a major blow to Stuart, as was that of Jim Downie and Chuck Davidson, his former assistant. A lot of those who spoke for the resolution claimed they were hearing a lot from their constituents and a leadership vote would clear the air. The debate was very one-sided with three times as many speakers saying "no." The chairman ended the debate when the "yes" side ran out of speakers. The 55-45 result in the vote was a true shocker. Stuart did the right thing in calling for a leadership vote, as 55 per cent is not enough support. A secret ballot sure can be a surprise. Who will/may run and who can win? Jim Downie is too old at 63, and his election would give a bad image to the party. Myrna Driedger is a good MLA but not a leader. Brian Pallister would be a great candidate but won't leave federal politics. Ron Schuler will be a great candidate, as will Hugh McFadyen, the new MLA from the "yellow dog" seat of Fort Whyte. Hugh is only 37, experienced, intelligent, and ambitious. He could indeed win. There may be others! Stay tuned. Roger's Right Corner runs Wednesdays.
