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Dinner
at Stornoway
Innisfil Enterprise
October 4, 2005
By Peter Van Loan, MP, York-Simcoe
One of the
characteristics of a good leader is the
ability to build and maintain the
enthusiastic support of Caucus, and good
relations with individual MP's. Stephen
Harper has been - to the frustration of the
media and the Liberals - very successful in
leading a highly united Caucus, which backs
him fully and loyally.
Most of that is due to the leadership he
displays in the House of Commons (readily
apparent to those who watch Question Period
and Parliamentarian Debates), and the wise
judgment and insight he displays behind
closed doors in Caucus and at Shadow
Cabinet.
While the social whirl of Ottawa is not a
big draw for the hard working and
family-oriented Conservative Leader, ( I
too, share his inclination for working on
files over partying) Mr. Harper does make
some efforts. Stephen and his wife Laureen
have been holding dinners with a few MP's
and their significant others every second
week or so at Stornoway. This week, they
got to the V's + W's on the Caucus list, so
it was my turn to attend.
Stornoway is the official residence of the
Leader of the Opposition. Located in
upscale Rockcliffe Park, it is a nice,
'Rosedale' style home. Stornoway was the
home that housed the Dutch Royal Family as
refugees during the Nazi Occupation of the
Netherlands in World War II.
The evening was a reminder to me that I
probably should spend more time socializing
with my Caucus colleagues. The dinner was a
generally pleasant affair. The other MP's
in attendance came from B.C, Alberta, and
South-Western Ontario. But by coincidence we
were mostly rookies in our first term. The
company was enjoyable, and it was a pleasant
break from the grind.
The dinner consisted of a spinach salad,
duck, and an ice cream and marzipan cake
dessert. The food was very good, and
everybody was invited to have seconds if so
inclined.
For many MP's the opportunity to speak to
the Leader in such an informal setting, and
small group for so long is tremendously
valuable. In a Caucus of almost 100,
backbenchers in particular have few
opportunities to demonstrate to their leader
their considerable skills and talents
(Unlike their Shadow Cabinet colleagues who
work with the Leader weekly in a small group
debating issues). For those backbenchers,
this face-time with the Leader is critically
important.
A lot of good stories were told. Politics
figured in the discussions, but more as a
background to learn about each other’s
lives.
The evening drew to a close with the Harper
children appearing on the stairs to summon
father upstairs to read the bed-time
stories. Laureen tried to keep some of us
there a bit longer, but soon we all departed
with a parting gift of Stornoway-baked
chocolate chip cookies.
In the end, a pleasant time was had by all.
The Harpers were perfect hosts, and the
company had a good time. But it being a
school night, and us all being hardworking
souls, the socializing ended at a reasonable
hour and we began to prepare for another
busy day on Parliament Hill.
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