When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he was stepping down as Liberal leader, proroguing government (something he criticized when Harper did it) and plunging his party into a leadership race (while the rest of us prepare for an election that could devastate his party), I was reminded of a story from a colleague.
Shortly after Trudeau rose to power, one of the early bumps in the road that inevitably comes to politicians, was in the news. The two men, who knew each other, happened to meet.
Being politically astute, my friend began to offer a bit of friendly advice. We all know that when we do that, regardless of whether to friends, family or political people, that our well-meant guidance may not be followed; we hope the receiver will appreciate the concern.
But Trudeau did not wait to hear the advice. As soon as he realized that was what was happening, he put up a hand to stop it and said, “I got this.”
No advice needed or heeded.
He’s got this.
Others have told me that is the story of Justin Trudeau. In his mind, no one knows, or is, better.
So, when people ask, why didn’t he go sooner? Could he not hear the bell toll? Could he not read a room?
Apparently not.
Hubris never leads to good listening or a good ending.
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The current Liberal government has left behind in Trudeau’s wake the political dead bodies of those who had the temerity to try to do right and disagree with him.
Jody Wilson-Raybould, Jane Philpott and eventually even Chrystia Freeland, one of his most loyal soldiers — all women, all gone, because feminism is one thing but ego is another.
How painful must it have been for Trudeau to admit that his decision was made because of internal battles and that the polarization will be gone with him?
He sat down to dinner and said, “Kids, it turns out, and I don’t want to shock anyone here, that some people don’t love me.”
Daily, it seemed more Liberal MPs added their names to those who publicly jumped off Good Ship Justin.
But those feckless people, elected to serve the needs of their constituencies, instead served the ego of their leader until the fire got so hot they took the opportunity and political cover handed them when Freeland wrote her poison letter to strike out to save their jobs.
So here we are. The Liberals scrambling to find a new leader, government is prorogued and a lesson for Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative party.
If the polls hold, even with some improvement on the part of the Liberals with Trudeau gone, the Conservatives could well win big. A huge majority.
They will have every right to make a lot of changes and if they do it correctly we will all benefit. Trudeau’s massive increase in the size and reach of government has to be turned back.
That sentiment is likely what will carry the Conservatives forward.
An improvement in the economy, housing prices, criminals in jail instead of being turnstiled out onto the street time and time again, will be welcome changes.
But Mr. Poilievre, it won’t be about you.
It will be about Canadians, whether they voted for you or not.
We had a giant ego. Let’s try something else.