This autobiography about a woman who helped shape the politics of Canada over the last 15 years could be more aptly titled "A History of the Reform Populist Movement, Sprinkled with Deb Grey's holiday logs". At times she wrote one paragraph about what was happening in Parliament and the next would be about her motorcycle adventures or something about people not related to the political story unfolding. I see the relation, that the need for a politician to escape the silliness of politics and into normalcy. For Deb, it was particularly daunting, because she'd fly back and forth from Ottawa visiting her riding in Alberta every weekend - a true democrat. Without saying it, she's saying being an MP is actually difficult, which it is.
The book begins with Deb Grey describing in painful detail of her young life in British Columbia living with an alcoholic father and her difficult life growing up. What I particularly liked reading about was her path to religious faith - where she had none, to going to a post-secondary Bible school and embracing the teachings of Christ and her relationship with God - which is congruent with my own beliefs - so I had a deeper sense of her mindset. This belief is not in a fanatical way, but a tolerant and respectful view of people and the world. This was an important aspect of the book, as I'm sure many political hacks viewed Deb Grey as somewhat of a right wing religious fanatic, which she clearly wasn't by any means. Her views on the separation of church and state solidified her respect from MPs in all parties. This belief is paramount to being a politician of fortitutde and balance.
During Stockwell Day's new leadership of the new Canadian Alliance Party, he made many grave errors as a leader, a politician, and in policy. The book outlines them all, including stuff we didn't hear about in the news. The internal politics in the party was fascinating to read in 2001, with Deb and a dozen or so other Canadian Alliance MPs renouncing Stock as a leader and that he should step down. Deb really battles with this one before making the announcement. She always thought things over before she acted. She certainly made the right call here.
I thought for sure there was an underlining conspiracy from the "Manningites" (MPs still loyal to former leader Preston Manning), and perhaps there was, as most of the MPs who renounced Day as leader were loyal to Manning, but Deb shows that basically these people were there in the Reform Party from the very beginning and didn't want to see the whole movement go down in flames. They had to do something quickly. During their renouncements I found it interesting that every day or so, another MP would get up and tell Stock to step down. The timing to create a media momentum was perfectly executed - I think these rebel MPs planned it, but Deb doesn't mention it in the book.
They were quickly tossed from the CA caucus and left in limbo as independents.
The whole fiasco basically exposed the hard right socially fundamental religious side of the party, who were die-hard supporters of Day, no matter what. It was like "Blind faith" although he made some serious gaffes. These "Stockaholics" sued Deb Grey and were relentless as a grassroots movement. She of course won in the end.
She goes into a lot of detail during the odd period when these rebel MPs formed the Democratic Representative Caucus (DRC) and a parliamentary coalition with Joe Clark's Progressive Conservitive caucus, forming policy, sharing critic roles, etc. Little do people realize, but this was the real seed planted that helped stem the uniting of the the Canadian Alliance and PC Party. Again, though she's doesn't get credit for it, but Deb was instrumental in building these bridges.
The emergence of Stephen Harper, Deb's former assistant in the late 80's, policy researcher for the Reform Party, MP from 1993-1997, creator of the Clarity Act, then leader of the Canadian Alliance, beating out Stockwell Day, was thoroughly outlined in this book.
Deb, however, leaves a few things out in the book that I know she said on TV about Harper. One was when Stephen Harper threw his hat into the Alliance leadershp race to replace Stockwell Day, she said he'd be okay, but not really great as a leader - something to that effect (boy did he prove her wrong!). She didn't seem enthusiastic about it as I think she was quitely supporting Diane Ablonczy, who didn't fare well in the final results. But the book shows Deb's enthusiasm for Stephen, so I was kind of confused. But then, hey who said politics wasn't confusing!
Then she delves into Stephen's rise as party leader, and then the merger talks with new PC leader, Peter Mackay, and of course, the leadership race for the new Conservative Party. She beams with pride over Stephen's and Mackay's efforts, lack of ego, and negotiation skills. She hacks into Joe Clark a bit -- I really enjoyed that part!
While I don't wish here to detail the history of her political career, I find it ironic that although she was once a Progressive Conservative voter, she rightfully becomes disenfranchised, helps start the Reform Party, then years later is instrumental in "reuniting" the two conservative parties, again - back to where we were 20 years ago ... or are we?
Later she describes the names and relations of everyone she's met and thanks them personally, but they had nothing to do with the political story that obviously underlines the book, so this part was difficult to read and perhaps unnecessary. But for an MP who I've met on several occassions, and even asked her to run for leader (but she refused), and who was instrumental in shaping this country, she can thank anyone she wants.
I wished the book got into more of the grit and grime and backroom deals of politics, but she leaves her mark, knowing that 2004 was the right time for her to move on - as she says, "or you'll rot". This is sound advice. And with that, I'll bump up the book a full point.
If you're into federal politics, overall, this is a great read, a heartfelt story, but seems to intentionally leave out the nitty gritty (perhaps for legal reasons). However, the subtitle of the book is "Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize", a quote from Agnes McPhail, the first woman MP in parliament, so she kind of proves that.
Snak gives the book "Deborah Grey - Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize - My Life, My Politics" 3.81 fists out of 5.
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