The nomination is over, and a winner has been declared: Todd Doherty will be the Conservative Party member who stands for election from Cariboo-Prince George to the House of Commons in 2015. I will fully admit that Mr. Doherty was not the candidate that I was supporting, but nonetheless I will be there next year to knock on doors, phone call, and cheer him on. Why? Because I am a Conservative, and I support the decision of my fellow members.
Democracy is about compromises. A majority of card carrying members in Cariboo-Prince George cast a ballot for Mr. Doherty: they have put their faith in him, so I must be willing to trust their judgment and do the same. A house divided against itself cannot stand, and the modern incarnation of the Conservative Party of Canada is a testament to the power of coalitions. The right-wing lived in exile for over a decade because of infighting and divisiveness. We have come too far to let a fully transparent, democratic election divide us.
On the flipside, I believe that Mr. Doherty, while competent, has a good deal to learn both to prepare him for the election and for the political roads that lie ahead. Coaching will be required so that he can concisely and confidently state the party's various positions and policies, as well as fire rejoinders in question period after the election. Furthermore, it is paramount that Mr. Doherty remember to build bridges into the other camps which operated during the nomination race; there is a great deal of practical knowledge and political wisdom dispersed throughout the other two candidate's volunteers, many of whom would be willing to help if they were only asked.
Dwelling on personnel just a little longer, even the team that surrounds Mr. Doherty in Ottawa may need to be overhauled. Some of Mr. Harris' staff may be fresh and innovative enough to help further our hopeful nominee's career once he gets to Ottawa, but it must be honestly acknowledged that some of them may not. Staffers are no longer glorified secretaries: their jobs now include meeting with stakeholders, campaign planning, and drafting policy papers. This requires expertise in various fields, as well as the work ethic necessary to see the job through. I hope Mr. Doherty scrutinizes his team before jetting off in 2015. Full stop.
Once in Ottawa, it is important to join forces with veteran backbenchers who are really making a difference. Many backbenchers are happy to mumble the talking points handed them by the short pants brigade at the PMO as payment for their pension, while the more principled usually stymie themselves because they're determined to build Rome in a day. But there is a way to stand out while not upsetting the boss at Langevin. A great example of an effective and well liked backbencher is Randy Hoback, member for Prince Albert; because of his hard work and ability to compromise, he has been allotted more and more influence in Parliament to advocate for social issues close to his heart. I'm sure he'd be happy to offer some advice.
Finally, nothing can help Mr. Doherty's chances more than already acting like he's the Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George. In fact, it would make a really big impression on certain quadrants of the riding, say the Chilcotin near Williams Lake or the NFA members of Prince George, if Mr. Doherty begins meeting and discussing issues with these and other groups already. These talks can only help sharpen and better inform the campaign message that is to come in 2015, and I can promise you that will only help the results on election day.
In the end, I am thankful that the nomination race is over, and I know who my candidate is for the election next year. There is still a long road between Mr. Doherty and his office in Ottawa, but I am confident he will get there, and, for my part, I intend to help him on his way.
