The Liberal Party has been attacked for holding a Thinkers' Conference -- why hold one unless the Liberals have no ideas. Such an attack is silly -- listening to voices from Canadians who are not inside the Liberal *or any* Party is an excellent idea. And what's more, it will give us the views of independents and people with good ideas but no political bent.
OTTAWA -- Michael Ignatieff said Wednesday the federal Liberals need to stop thinking of themselves as the "natural" governing party and earn back the trust of Canadians.
The Liberal leader said the party must listen to Canadians as it embarks on a "path of renewal" culminating in a major policy conference in Montreal at the end of March. The conference will discuss what the country should try to achieve by 2017, Canada's 150th anniversary.
"We have to have the courage to tell ourselves things we don't want to listen to. We have to listen to people that the party has not listened to. We have to open the doors and open the windows," Mr. Ignatieff said in a speech Wednesday to cap a two-day meeting here of the Liberal caucus.
"That is the process by which a great party earns -- earns -- the right to be the next government of Canada. We talk too easily within this party about being the natural party of government. If I can achieve one thing as a leader of this party, it's to get that out of our vocabulary."
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2464929#ixzz0dHROHm9D
6 comments:
I think that started with Pearson...I think it is a great idea!
So Pearson started the term "natural governing party"? No wonder why he's been ostracized from party lore. We mostly refer to Trudeau when we talk about our past.
I did not say Pearson started natural governing party..I am not sure where that came from.
What I meant, was , Pearson initiated the Thinkers Conference.
Renewal?
From a guy who took power uncontested?
From a guy who used backroom deals to have ALL his competitors drop out like flies?
Bonne Chance ...
It's a good ideal, but I'd like to know who "Canada's leading thinkers and doers" are, how they were selected, and why I wasn't invited.
Downes,
If you are keen send me an email. I am not sure I can get anyone in -- including myself -- but you are the type of person needed -- seriously (we dont always agree but thats ok)
james
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