I just read the transcript of an interview given by Canada's youngest MP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault.
I hope the media loses the fixation with his age, and judges him on his intelligence and passion.
I remember seeing a billboard years ago, that read "Hire a teenager. Now, while they still know everything." The new youth wing of the NDP will bring not only fresh ideas, but the arrogance of youth. It won't be business as usual. I think, or at least I hope, that they will stand by their youthful convictions and fight for the things that matter to their generation.
For too long Parliament has been dominated by old white guys. It's time for a shake up.
I'm still angry with Layton for abandoning strategic voting, allowing his ego and hatred of Liberals to cloud his better judgement. He would have still been leader of the Opposition but in a Conservative minority, where these people could have really made a difference.
However, I think this young man may be around for a very long time.
The Liberals could learn from this. Bring more youth into the Party, not only as Young Liberals, but as people who can shape policy and eventually legislation.
I'm starting to like the idea of Justin Trudeau as the next leader of the Liberals. Shake off the cobwebs of the old guard and generate some excitement.
Possibly a new generation of Trudeaumania.
When I attended a luncheon with Michael Ignatieff in Kingston, there was a group of Young Liberals travelling with him, and I was so impressed with them.
One young man was cornered by an elderly lady and spent a great deal of time discussing issues. And what I saw from both was a level of respect. Not some smart ass punk, wishing to be anywhere but there. And she viewed him in the way he should have been viewed. Neither were condescending.
Clearly it's time we did politics differently in this country.
I'm going to be working the next few years to promote a renewed Liberal Party, with the possibility of a merger with the Green. They are closer than the Liberals and NDP.
But they will have to create a strong option for the centre. Shake off the stigma of the sponsorship scandal with a fresh new leader and a fresh new outlook.
And I am also going to grade each new NDPer on their own merit. Pierre-Luc Dusseault gets an "A".
