Initally published in the Alliston Herald on August 22, 2008
Somehow or other I have managed to find my way onto the e-mail distribution list of our MPP, Jim Wilson.
Typically, I'll give this type of missive a cursory glance and quickly move on. However, there was one e-mail in recent weeks that immediately grabbed my attention. The content did not include any of the standard partisan scolding or chest thumping that is so common with this form of communication (regardless of political stripe).
Rather, the e-mail simply attached a post written by a Collingwood blogger named Dale West.
Now, this particular post was so glowing and effluent in its praise of Wilson that I momentarily wondered whether Wilson's mother was wandering the streets of Collingwood disguised as West! The flowery language used to describe Wilson's popularity among colleagues, and his apparent first name familiarity, resembled the kind of gushing tone one expects from a proud family member.
The content of the blog was a rather indignant discourse critical of the notion (or rumour) that Wilson would resign his Simcoe-Grey seat to enable Ontario Progressive Conservative leader, John Tory, to enter the Legislature.
In fact, the blog's defiant headline proclaimed: "Why not John Tory stepping down for Jim Wilson?" and the piece concluded with an opinion that the prospect of Tory stepping aside as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party for Wilson "...is no less absurd than asking Jim to make way for John."
Regardless of the short-sightedness of West's opinion, what is most significant in my mind is Wilson's apparent endorsement of the piece and the views expressed therein. The fact that Wilson circulated the content of the blog, without comment, to his entire distribution list can only be interpreted as approval of West's cheeky slap at the leader.
If Wilson is, indeed, supportive of the views expressed by West then I cannot help but regard him as selfish. Party politics is not, or at least should not be, about placing one's own personal advancement or status above the party and the cause to which you ascribe.
Indeed, there is an element of nobility or honour in making a temporary personal sacrifice for the advancement of the party and/or cause.
The fact is Simcoe-Grey would be an exceptionally good platform for Tory to enter the Legislature and acquire much needed experience and exposure in advance of the next provincial election. It is one of the safest Conservative seats in the province, is close to Toronto, and would carry little risk of an embarrassing loss.
Stepping aside for a leader does not mean the end of a political career. Elmer MacKay stood down for Brian Mulroney in 1983. Scott Brison did the same for Joe Clark in 2000. Each of MacKay and Brison made it back to parliament in the next general election and each was subsequently rewarded by the leader.
Righteous indignation aside, West fails to identify a compelling reason as to why Wilson's preservation as a Member of Provincial Parliament for the next two years is more important than Tory acquiring a seat in the legislature. Experience and popularity hardly qualify. It may be that Wilson has compelling reasons for placing his own personal interests above those of the party. However, it is incumbent on Wilson to articulate those reasons rather than circulate, and implicitly endorse, the ramblings of a supportive blogger.
