I’ve been asked many times before, often by my former co-blogger Mr. McIver, why I support the Liberal Party of Canada. My explanations range from legitimate politics, to historical alignment, to convenience. Here follows some of my reasoning.
I have always seen myself as a Liberal. My first political memory is probably Jean Chretien’s electoral victory in 1993 (when I was 11). I vaguely remember hearing about the GST and NAFTA before that, but I didn’t have any understanding of what they meant. It wasn’t until well into the Chretien years that I started to understand and admire how the Liberals rationalized government spending. But more than how the Liberals governed, I think I was made a Liberal simply because they governed. At that time the Liberals dominated federal politics. The PC Party had been destroyed and the only viable opposition was the Bloc. Who could I have supported at the time? From 1993 until the new millennium there was no legitimate alternative for a political neophyte.
Then came the resurgence of the Conservatives. I remember watching as Preston Manning, whom I quietly supported, lost the leadership of the Canadian Alliance Party. I decided I couldn’t support Stockwell Day. Then I watched Peter MacKay hand the PC Party over to Stephen Harper. Those two events have kept me from considering a shift to the political right.
The other primary reason I originally aligned myself with the Liberals was a job. After two years studying political science at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo I got a summer job at then-MP Roger Gallaway’s constituency office. I was recruited by the many local Liberals who passed through the office. My respect for these people (and, secondarily, my own selfish reasons) made me want to join the party and I haven’t wanted to leave since.
But more than coincidence and timing, I consider myself a Liberal for many concrete reasons.
I believe in fiscal prudence. While some might point to Martin’s liberal spending increases during the latter years of his reign, I prefer to point to how he and Chretien gave the government a surplus and how he left the government with a surplus. Martin's spending increases came when the economy was growing. To do otherwise would have been irrational.
I believe in a strong national government. I believe that Canadians need national standards. I understand that there are federal and provincial jurisdictions, but they too often lead to varying standards and inconsistencies. What good will BC’s carbon tax do when Alberta’s tar sands industry is ravaging our environment? How can we have Ontario’s manufacturing base and Alberta’s energy base fighting tooth-and-nail?
I believe in giving Canadians a level playing field. Tax cuts shouldn’t be for the wealthy, but for the poor. Social programs are necessary. War can be justified in extreme circumstances. Policy isn’t good or bad based on the public’s ability to understand it. It is a party’s and a politician’s obligation to educate the public about policy. Elections should be fought on policy and principle, not vague concepts, lies, and libel.
Ultimately, I support the Liberal Party because I have, over my seven years as a member, felt a part of the party’s decision making. I have drafted policy proposals, and voted for leaders and candidates. I have supported fundraising and profile-raising events. I have been intimately involved in election campaigning. I have seen discussion and disagreement within the party.
Could I ever switch allegiances? Perhaps. Crowning Ignatieff instead of insisting on a vote is just one example of where I’ve disagreed with the party. But for now, I respect the tradition and believe in the future of the party.
Do I always support the Liberal Party? No. If you’ve read my blogging you know I have a mind of my own. When conceiving the Political Polarity blog, Pat had suggested names that included the words “Grit” and “Tory”, but I suggested something more non-partisan (thus we had www.politicalpolarity.com). I believe I am slightly left of center on many issues, but surprisingly right on others. I believe the Liberal Party best represents my political philosophy - more often than any other party. Perhaps Pat put it best: the Liberal Party “stands up for my freedoms and my rights as a citizen, respects my pocket book whenever possible and has clearly defined positions, regardless of other people’s opinions, on the major issues of the day.”
And that’s what matters to me.
