WINSLOE - The provincial Progressive Conservative party should elect a permanent leader sooner rather than later, its membership said during the party's annual meeting in Winsloe Saturday.
The party has been without a permanent leader since the last election.
Pat Binns, who led the party to a resounding defeat in 2007, resigned after being named Canada's ambassador to Ireland.
The party's executive then named Olive Crane as interim leader until a new leader could be found.
Mike O'Brien is no stranger to leadership campaigns. He chaired Pat Binns' campaign in 1996, a campaign that saw Binns win the leadership on the first ballot.
O'Brien would like to see the convention held earlier, rather than later, and suggested the spring of 2010.
But O'Brien said a leadership campaign needs to be more than just a one-day event. He said it's essential that districts are organized, that the leadership contenders hold a series of town halls across the Island and that the party comes together and supports the new leader.
"The last poll showed a 20 per cent differential. You have to be realistic about these things,'' O'Brien told The Guardian.
"You have to go about trying to close that gap. You're not going to close that until you get a leader, and until there are some candidates representing certain ridings. That's the purpose of getting out sometime in 2010.''
David McKenna, a former Conservative MLA, cautioned members not to go too early. He said if that happens the party will spend all its money on the new leader rather than fighting the next election or the leader will be without a salary for a year and a half, which may prevent some candidates from running for the post.
The party has a total debt of $260,000, but it is confident it can be debt-free by the fall of 2010.
"We usually get a bump in the polls after a leadership convention,'' he said.
"We want to keep that momentum going into the next election.''
More than 250 people packed into the Winsloe Lions Hall for the party's annual meeting.
There were several high-profile guests at the meeting, including federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea and newly minted Senator Mike Duffy.
Shea said she was impressed with the standing-room only crowd.
"The crowd that's here today is very impressive," she said. "I think it speaks volumes about what the Ghiz government is going to have to contend with in the future.''
The party appears set on holding its leadership convention in 2010, more than likely in the spring.
But the final decision will lie with a leadership committee, which is being struck immediately.
There is no surprise when the next election is going to be held.
Because of fixed election dates, it is already known the election will be held on Oct. 3, 2011.
Mike Currie, MLA for Georgetown-St. Peters, warned members that the next election is only 33 months away. He also suggested a leadership convention in the spring of 2010.
"Whoever wins has to lead this party to victory in 2011, that's crucial.''
Executive in place:
The Progressive Conservative party held its annual general meeting Saturday in Winsloe. The party also elected a new executive.
- Don Roberts takes over as president. He defeated last year's president, Gardiner MacNeill, for the post;
- The rest of the positions were filled without the need for an election. Geoff Connolly will be first vice-president, Gerard McCardle will be secretary, and Ryan Pineau will be treasurer.
Tories anxious to elect new leader
Tories anxious to elect new leader
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Comments
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- NotSoStupid
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:38:23
Well, look who is in this picture its the self proclaimed non-partisan fluky, Mike Duffy himself. Your pretty clever Mike you fooled us all. NOT!!!!
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- fairplay
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:37:38
As I said before in my comments-Watch the PC party elect someone as president who will do absolutely nothing and once again the party will go nowhere.
So who do we get Don Roberts-never did anything before and will not do it now. Executive dorector must have worked magic on this one.
Wake up PC party. You are never going to get ahead this way.
PS Duffy your picture looks good considering no politicak ties. -
- Old Tory
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:36:30
Danny Williams needs to crawl back under whatever rock he crawled out from under. He is a disgrace to the Tory party of which I have been a proud card carrying member for almost 50 years.
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- PEI Veterinarian
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:18
Arthur et al.
If you think being a Dean of very successful veterinary school for the past 8 plus years doesn't involve some political smarts and experience, then you don't know what you are talking about. Maybe Dr. Ogilvie isn't well known by all Islanders, but he is well known in the rural communities.
I'd much rather have an intelligent leader than a puppet for others to use for their own agenda. -
- Behind the Plow
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:34:41
33 months comes around pretty quickly. The PC's need to rethink their past successes and failures, their is a very qualified man who has Leadership qualities and ethics, This requres toughness, good communicator, goes door to door and will not promise what cannot be done............their are good Politicans, we need one for our PC Party.....Take the time, pay the debt, build the support, rally behind the Leader..........Down with the Liberals
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- Thrilled
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:29:50
Tim Oglivie would be fantastic. He is motivated, intelligent and is an experienced leader. I would much prefer to see a fresh leader who hasn't been heavily involved in PEI politics their entire career.
The commenter 'Authur' must be living under a rock. Tim is well known across 'all PEI' and well respected. -
- tp
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:25:57
So what is political experience? Being able to schmooze, put spin on things, talk a lot but say nothing? I am not necessarily saying I would support Ogilvie, but my thoughts are government needs more people who are not your 'typical' politician.
Some people think that switching back and forth from Liberal to Conservative is the one and only definition of change. -
- lb
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:04
perhaps it is time for people and political parties t put aside ancient political beliefs. instead of asking what it takes to be a liberal/tory, etc, they should be asking what will it take to do whats right for the province and country. Parties spend so much time, effort and money on finding faults with each other, when they should be finding solutions to make this province and country a better, safer, stronger place. Too many times the people are forgotten in all the political agendas. A few are selected to speak for the many, but most time, the few speak for the few and we the many are left with nothing.
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- Oh my god-
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:14:38
Don Roberts as President? What is Don going to accomplish. This is a time of structure and renewal. The PC Party doesn't need a washed up old cloth like him. He was put out to pasture long ago and it was their best move. Well it is one more thing that keeps my liberals going strong. Thanks PC Party once again!
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- Don't forget
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:09:53
Or a very capable female my friend.
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- Mack
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:08:51
You said a mouthful there JL. We don't need one quarter of this inflated goverment! All these same old Tories and liberals, Bellying up to the $$ Trough! Looking to see how they can personally benefit from there elected party, Its no wonder were in debt Almost 2 Billion and counting, Get rid of them all!!!
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- JL
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:08:30
Fact:
Pat Binns had minimal political experience throughout his career as a community development officer. He basically walked into the position of MLA under J. Angus MacLean's gov't, MP under Brian Mulroney, etc. (there's a good name to be associated with - sarcasm)
Robert Ghiz had minimal political experience throughout his career as a communications/policy advisor for Jean Chretien and Sheila Copps (there are 2 other good names to be associated with - sarcasm)
Going back further, what do we have among our premiers? Not a heck of a lot of experience or intellectual ability.
I think the smartest thing we could do is get rid of the 4 provincial parties - abolish the Liberals, PCs, NDP and Greens.
At the same time get rid of the electoral districts and chop the number of MLAs down to 13 from the current 27. Elect them all at-large with no party representation.
Let them choose from amongst themselves who will be premier, cabinet, etc.
And abolish/dissolve the silly joke that municipal government pretends to be here on tiny PEI. Imagine, 5500 km2 and 75 municipalities tripping over themselves for tax resources. Have a single Island Government for our 135,000 resdients -
- To Thrilled
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:06:34
I have never heard of Tim Ogilvie and I can assure you I'm not living under a rock!
But with the present state of our economy and the little Liberals are doing to put it on the right track - I'd much rather see the PC Party elect someone with a Political, Economic background and someone we know. I doubt a former Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College would have the same. Our wildlife and environment are already getting attention than our citizens. -
- shawn
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:05:15
As a proud Canadian and former islander, i would LOVE to see the premier of Newfoundland, Mr. Danny Willams as leader of this great country. He is in a fight with harper and Mr. Danny Willam's will win. harper is trying to screw with this country again. Mr. Willam's seam's to be the only one with the b*ll's to stand up the to harper..
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- Thrilled
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:04:13
Dr. Ogilvie's deanship at AVC had significantly more to do with politics and economics than wildlife and the environment.
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- Tim Who?
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:58:37
Tim Who? A Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College! Lots of Polticial Experience there! (sarcasm)
The PC Party better dig another Candidate out their hat. Preferably one that has experience, competence, credability and is well known by ALL Islanders or forget it.
Islanders won't vote for another New Kid on the Block regardless of what party he's from! Been there, done that with many regrets! I'd take Mike Duffy First! -
- Puffster at work
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:58:00
At last! We see Mike Duffy at work and earning his nickname 'The Puffster'.
None of this 'fair and objective' journalistic cant. It's Tories first, last and always!
Obviously his Senate appointment won't be a loss for the Tory Party.
Leads me to wonder about all the other people who got snookered by Mike Duffy, television journalist.
Another triumph for the Conservative Television Network (that's CTV folks!).
More to follow from Mike and Pammy! -
- tp
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:57:33
'to thrilled' thinks all Ogilvie would bring to the PC party is veterinary knowledge?? I guess then that a university Dean would have no skills in financial administration, securing funding, research grants (no politics there, eh?), communication, program management, staffing, recruitment etc etc
He may or may not become a good premier, I have no idea because I don't know him nor have I heard his position on anything. But I see as much, or more,
skills and experience there as any of the other names listed. -
- Young Tory
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:54:44
The newly elected President of the PC party executive, Don Roberts is the right guy for the job.He knows the grass roots Tory's from one end of the island to the other.He will help bring the party back together and get us ready for the election in 2011.Congradulation Don and look forward to working with you in the future.
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- Old Tory
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:52:27
Hopefully, Olive will be a offering.. Uh, Oh, looks like some new flunkies are trying to hijack the Tory party. A policy convention is badly needed. The current liberal regime is rotten. The party needs to provide some serious assistance to Olive for the upcoming session of the legislature, furthermore, there should be almost daily press releases on what is wrong with the current government.
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- Joanie
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:43:08
As the newly elected President of the PC party executive, Don Roberts is passionate this province, and he is ready to help revitalize the PC Party in preparation for the next provincial election. He knows the Island like the back of his hand, and he is ready to tackle the challenges ahead. He's also a sincere, decent fellow and I wish him all the best.
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- Mother T
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:41:24
Donnie Roberts was not the best man to lead the pc's as president. Wasn't he all ready party organizer and left that job. Maybe committment is not one of Mr. Roberts best qualities.
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- what does conservative
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:35:56
There isn't a heck of a lot of difference between a PEI Liberal and a PEI Progressive Conservative.
Most of the differences 150 years ago were related to religion and class/land ownership status.
I too question the relevance of political parties on PEI. We are so tiny and have such a small population that it is truly bordering on silliness to have our people divided by such minimal differences as the colours of Red and Blue.
From everything that I've seen, both the PEI Liberals and the PEI Progressive Conservatives are perfect reflections of our society. Small c conservatives socially. Big government spendthrift socialists fiscally. All around cr@ptacularly poor managers of the public sector (why has it ballooned so large in recent decades?). Incredibly ineffective marketers... the list goes on.
But small-c conservative and big-C Progressive Conservatives have one thing in common (ie. all Islanders have this tendency):
''They want everything to stay exactly the way it is. Change is bad.''
Don't close schools (even if they are empty). Don't close hospitals (even if there's another one 10 km away). Don't try to balance the budget (our kids and grandkids will pay for it). Pave my road and you'll get my vote. Give me a pint and you'll get my vote and the support of the rest of my family as well. If I'm Catholic, I'll vote Liberal. If I'm Protestant, I'll vote Conservative.
The madness of the most inefficiently governed jurisdiction in North America continues.... -
- ken
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:35:17
I think they should try and get Basil Stewart to run for the leadership of the party look what he did for summerside.
