Rebuilding the Liberal party

Steve Pinkus, Désirée Mcgraw and Rachel Bendayan, National Post, May 21, 2011

Getting involved:

Founders

Carolina Gallo La Flèche,
Westmount-Ville-Marie
Brett House,
Niagara West-Glanbrook
Kent Hovey-Smith,
Trinity-Spadina
Désirée McGraw,
Notre-Dame-De-Grâce-Lachine
Matthew Ramsden,
Ottawa Centre
Robert Valdmanis,
Westmount-Ville-Marie

Who Are We?

Renaissance Liberal began as a group of friends arguing about the Liberal Party’s future (or lack of it) over breakfast at a restaurant in Montreal in 2005. The original members were known as The Claremont Group drawing their name from the bistro they met in. As new people were drawn into the fold we opted for the name “Root and Branch” to capture the spirit of the radical reform and renovation we think the party needs. More recently we re-christened our growing association “Liberal Renaissance”

We’re professionals in our thirties and forties. We work in industry, business, academia, advocacy, government, philanthropy and broadcasting. Almost all of us have extensive experience organizing, raising money, formulating policy and campaigning for the party. Over the years we’ve grown frustrated watching a once vital political movement decay into a tired old broken down machine. The Party’s outdated structure and processes have not only led to three ballot box embarrassments but have also directly hindered the process of renewal. Many of us made substantial contributions to the 2006 Renewal Commissions, the results of which were shelved by Party apparatchiks because what they wanted was the appearance of party renewal - not the reality.

Lately we have sensed a genuine tide change in the Party. The message Liberal Renaissance has been pushing for three years is finding resonance at all levels. Now even would be leaders are lending an ear. Let’s make something clear: we’re not out to rescue the Liberal Party. That’s the break-the-glass plan of those who don’t comprehend that we are living in a new century. The grand old Grit formula of backroom power wielded by a few elites, the smug confidence of being the country’s “natural governing party” and the surety of always being able to reward dutiful party members are behind us.

We are proud liberals. Confident that a rebuilt, inclusive and united Liberal Party can again be the pre-eminent vehicle for progressive public policy, effective government and a galvanizing national vision befitting the greatest country on earth.

Renaissance Liberal is committed to the spade work, door knocking, and humility this effort will require. We’re the next generation and to quote a politician who does get the new century: “This is our time.”

Join us.