When Stephen Harper became leader of the Canadian Alliance in 2002 a daunting task awaited him. His party was low in the polls, divided and something of a national laughingstock. In four short years he rebuilt the party, resusicitated his caucus, won a leadership contest and reduced the Liberal majority to a minority and finally into opposition.
The public continues to give the government good marks for its' handling of the economy and an Ekos poll found nearly half of Canadians believe the country is on the right track . His strengths include his command of policy, ability to persuade, self-assurance, decisiveness and a steady consistency in his approach to governing. He has also demonstrated a willingness to learn from his mistakes and change. Polls consistently show Canadians see Harper as a better leader than any of the opposition leaders, more to be trusted in tough economic times and as having a vision of Canada they can support.
Notwithstanding premature media excitement with ever fluctuating polls and the bluster and bravado of the Liberals it is unlikely we will have an election any time soon. Canadians do not want another election because there is no need for one.
Harper is easily the best choice for Prime Minister currently and may well prove to be the best Prime Minister this country has ever seen and his biggest strength may be that he is underestimated.
Gerald Hall
Parksville, B.C.
