14 Days: Making the Conservative Movement in Canada

by Bruce Carson

A first-hand look into the back rooms of the conservative movement in Canada, 14 Days provides insights into how the recent history of the Canadian right has influenced the Conservative government over the past two decades. Bruce Carson, having worked in close proximity to many Conservative leaders, describes a series of important moments in the disintegration, re-integration, and eventual repeated electoral success of the modern Conservative Party, formed from its Progressive Conservative forebears. Carson recounts how decisions are made and communicated, how issues are managed, and policies are developed under Harper's leadership. Crucial moments in the Conservatives' rise to power - from the devastating results of the 1993 election to the growth of the Reform Party and its election as Official Opposition, through the parties' merger, leadership decisions, conventions, and elections as minority and majority governments and most recently, the Conservative Party as majority government holder in Canada - are presented from the point of view of an outspoken witness and active participant. Carson candidly shares information on the government's approaches to Afghan detainees, the Cadman and Schreiber affairs, the 2008 constitutional crisis and worldwide recession, the development of their first budget, and the determination of the tenets of Harper's approach to federalism. A rare, behind-the-scenes account of the Harper Conservatives from opposition to government, 14 Days provides a vivid portrayal of all participants and will be eagerly read by anyone interested in the government's inner circle.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction

344 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson tackles the enormous task of summarising the rejuvenation of the conservative movement in Canada since its splintering in the 1993 Canadian General Election. Detailing the struggles of the PC movement and its hyperactive cousin, Reform, Carson tackles the history that led to both parties coming together, for reasons of a united right, in order to unseat the Liberals, who saw victory as an eternal flame to rule as they saw fit. Carson uses his personal experiences with the PC Party to highlight the early days of the movement, the awkward coming together of the Reform-Canadian Alliance Party and the PC, and finally the love-child of their political tryst, in the form of the Conservative Party of Canada. His first-hand knowledge of the terrain offers much to entice the reader and keep them interested through to the end. Written from a down to earth perspective, with wonderful use of insider knowledge and academic-like references, Carson makes his case that the Conservatives have weathered the storm, climbing from obsolete to a majority party, and are prepared to continue tackling the hard issues of governing Canada effectively. Aside from his private issues, Carson is a highly respected insider and has much to offer the curious reader, particularly those with an appetite for political commentary.

In his preface, Carson makes it clear how aptly the book's title can be. Citing fourteen key periods in the 1993-2013 period of the right-of-centre political parties' lives proves to be highly effective. Carson chooses to, as much as he can, tackle the narrative in a chronological fashion, making it easier for the reader to see what is going on. He pulls no punches and does vilify the Liberals and Bloc at numerous points of the book, but also lets the reader know that, as a PC Party stalwart, the Reform-CA idea was also highly problematic at first. The book is not a fourteen vignette collection of how Liberals are bad and Harper is good, as some may be led to believe. Instead, he shows the big picture hurdles that conservatives, eventually personified in Stephen Harper overcame to move from fringe (or all by extinct) parties to holders of a parliamentary majority in the House of Commons. These key moments help show the decline of the Liberals, their ongoing struggles, and how they may remain adrift should they not be able to capitalise on key moments in the political pendulum swinging.

Carson's insider knowledge illustrates a picture not necessarily known to the keenest of academics or most astute journalists. Stephen Harper and his control of the Conservative helm came at a small price, the need to tame his social beliefs for the betterment of the right-of-centre movement. Turning Harper from a bookish academic into the leader of Canada's Government was not an overnight phenomena, but Carson was there throughout to show some of the stumbling blocks as well as key moments of success. Carson balances out the good with the ugly, letting the reader see what happened and leaving it up to them to choose what they wish to make of it. All while telling the great story of a political David defeating the oft-lost Goliath at many a turn.

With an impending election around the corner, curious political fanatics might enjoy this book to help them better understand where Harper and the Conservative movement has come from in the past 21 years. Having recently read Paul Wells' The Longer I'm Prime Minister, I have a better understanding of the man Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada. Their inner workings and how they are not a bunch of people with horns and a tail. Insightful and thoroughly thought provoking, Carson does an exceptional job portraying the Conservative Party as a viable choice at the ballot box. Are they set to be a dynastic party with an energetic leader at the helm? Only time will tell.

Kudos, Mr. Carson, for opening my eyes up to not only the right-of-centre movement, but also some of the curiosities that occurred behind closed doors that led to the majority government we have in place today.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get informed, right?

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good breeze through political history (Tory history) but would have benefited more with numbers/data of results, etc when mentioned.

[Mikebee · Rating 1 out of 5]

A sycophantic apologist rehash of press release and party talking points. The uncritical admiration of the Progressive Conservatives and the Reform Party that delivered them into Harper's control is hard for almost any observer to swallow unless they are blind Conservative ideologues.

Carson's insider story is deeply disconnected from reality, particularly in the areas of Environment and Indigenous issues. He presents COP 14 as a success for Canada and as progress in addressing GHGs. He writes about the 2012 omnibus bill and its associated legislation as part of a successful ongoing effort in improving the circumstances of Indigenous people, without one mention of the continuing nation indignation expressed by Idle No More.

Carson's 14 days read more like a hundred day voyage trapped in a lifeboat, or a long uncomfortable meeting with a genial raconteur unable to see that his trapped guests want nothing more than to leave the conversation. With the exception of a few pages that profiled voters as con supporters or opponents the book was not worth reading. 14 Days was one day of my time at was poorly spent.

[Julian Haigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn't add much to the conversation and shows the Machiavellian approach at the basis of policy development in the Conservative Party of Canada. A far more insightful (and honest) commentary on such pressures is given in The New Machiavelli: How to Wield Power in the Modern World by Jonathan Powell although that book is on Tony Blairs approach (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...). The similarities in the exercise of those who maintain power have a unique command-control approach across history and geography. I would question the excitement or drama of the approach, and certainly the freedom and choices that leaders can exercise within it.

Carson offers a facile comprehension of policy or the historical context of what he was doing, providing ipso facto justification rather than deep appreciation for what he was actually doing. As a result, in Chretien's maxim, Harper is a good politician because he's been in power so long.