Why Politics?
For several hundred years now, democracy in the British parliamentary tradition, has meant the involvement of political parties. In other words, history has proven that you cannot have a strong and free democratic government without having people who work within a party structure.
Canada is generally acknowledged (and admired) for having one of the most mature and stable democracies on the planet. That is true federally and provincially. We take it for granted that we can choose our candidate and that we can freely vote for them, without fear of coercion or corruption. We expect our elected representatives to be honest and hard-working and only have the electors’ best interests at heart.
We have to keep in mind, however, that none of that happens by itself. Government and politics does not thrive in a vacuum. It takes people – ordinary people – to make it work. It takes people like you and me.
Party officials and leaders, elected or appointed, never pay as much attention to the general membership than during a period after a lost election. That is when the most relevant membership consultation takes place. That is when there is lots of talk of “grass-roots” consultation. Therefore, this is an important time for people who are interested in the political process to be and stay involved. This is an important time to help with the rebuilding and re-shaping. Being involved in the local political process means playing a role provincially and federally. Choosing the next party leader is just one way to help shape the future of our party and our Province. Some people believe that the PC Party of Nova Scotia needs to change quite a bit, if it ever wants to form the government again. How should it change to appeal more to the urban voter? Should it change its name? How does N.S.P. (Nova Scotia Party) sound?
Some people have not the least amount of interest in politics. That’s OK! The type of person who was involved at one time for personal gain only has dropped out. Blind patronage is history. Who is still involved? The person, who cares about people and the world around us – the person who believes that the individual can make a difference in the future of our society. You read all of this. You must be such a person. Thank you for staying involved.
By Morris J. Haugg, Q.C.