On the weekend I went snow shoeing and out for dinner with a large group of ladies. (Smart, educated, passionate, movers and shakers shall we say.) During dinner we got into an interesting conversation about politics in Alberta. Although we all come from different political backgrounds, the consensus was the same. We rant and rave about voter turnout. We blog and talk about why it is so important to vote and wonder where this apathy comes from when it comes to electing our leaders.
Everyone at our end of the table agreed, that people are apathetic to the "Old Boy's Club" that IS politics. The majority of our leaders fit most or all of this criteria
1. Male
2. Over weight
3. Balding
4. Over 45
What is sexy and glamorous about that?? People want to be inspired. Talk is cheap. We don't want a health minister (or any other minister for that matter) telling us to be healthy or preaching a message that they, themselves personally don't follow. We live in an age of people worshiping people (celebrities) and when we think about our leaders, having the brains to do the job isn't cutting it anymore.
The conversation during dinner then turned to Wildrose Alliance leader Danielle Smith. Nobody could dispute that a young, healthy, female under the age of 45 wasn't the best choice for a party leader. Although most of the ladies didn't agree with policies of the party, their selection in a leader says something. They are more engaged with a younger demographic.
People want leaders they can relate to. They want leaders that are engaging and they want to feel like their opinion matters. Look at Nenshi in Calgary or Melissa Blake in Wood Buffalo.
When Ed announced last week that he was stepping down my first though was to an author and MLA Doug Griffiths. He's a small town guy making ripples with his speech and book "13 Ways to Kill Your Community". I blogged about his book a couple of months ago. Here is a guy, under 40, takes care of himself, uses social media to engage with younger people and clearly has his heart in the right place. He is the kind of guy that you are naturally drawn to and WANT to follow because he inspires people. I may not agree with all that the Conservative Party has to offer, but Doug makes me WANT to follow him. He has that charisma and energy that is rare.
Who knows what the next year or two holds for Alberta and politics. All I know is that unless the "Old Boy's Club" transforms itself ... we will be complaining about the same things 10 years from now and that gets old and boring really fast.
Do me a favour and encourage more women and younger, passionate male leaders to get involved and change our political landscape.
Most people in politics are over 45. It's safe to say most people in North America are over 45 are overweight, who isn't? And if male and over 45, of course they're balding.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is not being older or fat or balding. Some women have thinning hair too. Some of us are overweight. And we're too busy with career and family when younger. It isn't fun or fair for anyone.
So if the problem is not enough women, how about concentrating on how to empower and encourage women to run? I agree that could make a more positive change in Alberta than labelling elected public servants.
Don't kid yourself. Doug Griffiths is hardly the golden child you make him out to be. Sure, he may be young and married, but that doesn't mean he doesn't hang out with high-paid Calgary lobbyists at strip clubs when he gets the chance. In this case, at least, the old boys' club has already taken root in a new generation.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Blake, Naheed Nenshi and Danielle Smith represent something new: a merit-based approach to leadership. Let's hope it sticks.
Re: Anonymous' comment above:
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to slag someone have the integrity to put your name on your little rant. Also, it's poor form on your part to slag someone and make allegations against this person just to make 'your' choices appear more acceptable.
ALL of these individuals are just trying to affect positive change and I admire them for showing up. At the very least, they're making a difference.
hhhhmmm, I'm sorry Beth, but this just doesn't sit right with me. Yes, I want to support someone I think is intelligent and passionate and someone I can relate to.
ReplyDeleteBut not sexy enough? not glamorous enough? not overweight? not balding? not over 45? Lets put that shoe on the other foot for a second.
I don't want to hire that woman because she isn't sexy or glamorous. She is overweight and over 45. Lets go with the young, sexy, glamorous, skinny sweet yuuuung thing. How many women would be screaming if they heard that?
I don't care if someone is two-tonne Tessy with a comb-over. If they have the intellectual chops to do the job, if they care about what they are doing, if they are ethical and engaged, then they have my attention.
Having brains isn't enough to cut it anymore? This assumes we all have a reality show, airbrushed view and perspective on life.
I think it takes us all down a notch or two when we base a political discussion on looks, age or gender.
Doug Griffiths for Premier!
ReplyDeleteIt is time for change in the PC Party and time for change in Alberta.
Doug Griffiths is the best man for the job.
Join the 'Doug Griffiths for Alberta's Future' Facebook Group and show your support! Encourage Doug to make a run for leadership and become Alberta's next Premier.
www.facebook.com/Griffs4ABsFuture
Professional politics is a machine driven by the parties. Candidates and leaders come and go but the machine keeps chugging away working on its own agenda. Naheed Nenshi and Danielle Smith stand out because they are true leaders and succeed in spite of the machine.
ReplyDeleteSince my interview with Danielle Klooster on Women in Politics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mENyKkWis94), I've wondered why the women who are such great leaders in municipal politics aren't making the transition to the provincial or federal arena. Maybe now is the time for them to consider it.
Carla,
ReplyDeleteThe point I am trying to make is that many of our existing political leaders have fallen behind. They are not engaging as the world is now. I'm not the skinniest thing around and my husband is bald... the point is that that if you are going to live in the past and not embrace new ways you have lost your ability to lead. I don't hold huge value on glam and glitz, but the rest of the world DOES... I want a passionate leader that doesn't belong to a club that does not include people like me.
Beth
Oh well then, when you put it THAT way! ;-) couldn't agree more!
ReplyDelete