Mr. Smith Goes to Ottawa: Life in the House of CommonsIn Mr Smith Goes to Ottawa, the author compares the 34th (1988-93) and the 35th (1993-97) Parliaments. The former, the second consecutive Conservative-led majority government, could not appear more different from the Liberal one which followed. Over two-thirds of its members were rookies. More significantly, over one-third represented two new political parties - the Bloc Quebecois and the Reform party. Yet, for all this change, Docherty shows that the new agendas of the 35th Parliament have not translated into changes in the legislative behaviour or socialization of new members.Unlike Jimmy Stewart in Washington, the majority of the men and women who go to Ottawa end up accepting a limited policy role. |
Contents
Building a Theory of Canadian Political Careers | 3 |
Representation Amateurism and Turnover | 31 |
The Candidates | 60 |
New Politicians and Old Rules | 84 |
Living with Preference Rules | 113 |
Views on Leadership and Party | 136 |
Members and Their Constituencies | 171 |
The Life Cycle of a Political Career | 202 |
Leaving Parliament | 225 |
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1993 member survey 34th Parliament amateurism ambition argued Atkinson backbenchers behaviour bers Bloc Québécois cabinet ministers campaign Canada Canadian House Canadian political career stage careerists caucus Chapter constituency office decision Democratic despite district Docherty Elections Canada electoral enjoy expectations F-ratio factors federal figures significant free votes goals Herb Gray House of Commons important incumbents individuals influence institutional issues Jean Chrétien Kim Campbell leadership least legislative legislature less Liberal MPs Liberal rookies loyalty margin of victory members of parliament nomination norms opportunity structure Ottawa parliamentary secretary partisan party and leader party discipline party leaders party's personal vote political career political parties position roles preference roles prime minister promotion rank rational choice re-election Reform candidates Reform members Reform MPs Reform Party representation representative responsibilities result retirement riding rookie MPs seek office served stituency style suggests Table tion turnover veteran views