Monday, October 7, 2002
Replacing John Manley? - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- Both national newspapers -- The Globe and Mail and the National Post -- had pictures of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on their front pages this past Saturday. Ditto The Vancouver Sun. As The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh began their nearly two week tour of Canada, The Globe and Mail’s shot of Her Majesty was of her on walkabout amongst ‘her subjects’. One boy in Iqaluit had his hand extended to Her Majesty eager to shake her hand. Next to that shot is of one taken moments later, The Queen moved on without shaking his hand. His look, the Globe described as “crestfallen.” Her Majesty, as the boy should have known, does not shake the hands of her subjects unless she would like to. Protocol dictates that our mere hands should never be extended unless the monarch extends hers first. I feel for him, his obvious disappointment registered forever on the cover of one of the national newspapers.
The photos of The Queen only decorated the main story of the day, that of the outrageous comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, John Manley. Mr. Manley, not a monarchist, restated comments he made last year, that the monarchy should be replaced. At the time he made the comments, then Foreign Affairs minister, Manley was naturally chided by outfits like the Monarchist League which of course, cried blue bloody murder at the thought of Canada ditching the Crown for republicanism. The media reported his comments which included a call for “something uniquely Canadian” to replace Elizabeth II as our Head of State. This time however his comments are greeted with a growing chorus of complaints, not on the substance of his words, rather the fact they were uttered on the day Her Majesty arrived.
John Manley is an able minister in Jean Chrétien’s cabinet. He served largely unnoticed in the Industry portfolio until 2000 when he was put into the Foreign Affairs ministry, in time to serve in that department during the events of September 11th. His on-going loyalty to the Prime Minister was further rewarded when he was designated Deputy Prime Minister, given broader powers and effectively knighted as Jean Chrétien’s personal choice as heir apparent. Personally, I had admired his outburst in wanting to replace the monarchy. Mr. Manley was making a bold statement of opinion, and coming from a leadership aspirant that was welcome. It was welcome considering he had been serving in a government where saying and doing anything bold was not typical. However I do not share Mr. Manley’s opinion on the monarchy, as I happen to be an unabashed monarchist. I realised though that Mr. Manley was not only expressing his view, but that of a significant section of the population -- republicans. They know how bad it is, our country’s politics, and they blame it on the system of governance perpetuated by having an out-of-country, non-Canadian Head of State. When the trial balloon was first floated I commended him. Now, I do not. Now, I believe there is something desperately wrong with Mr. Manley. To stoop to a less complimentary and less polite level -- that which Mr. Manley has stooped to -- I suggest that Mr. Manley should be replaced himself.
Maybe I am overreacting because I happen to be a monarchist. However, doesn’t one consider Mr. Manley’s recent comments highly provocative considering the Queen was set to arrive on that very day? Arriving where he happens to be Deputy Prime Minister, a supposedly loyal servant to the so said Queen. Doesn’t Mr. Manley know anything of protocol and the obvious insult he’s lobbed to the monarch and all that she’s stands for? Doesn’t Mr. Manley know that his position in Parliament, and that of the one he’s aspiring to covet, is a convention of history? A history, that I might add, includes times when, were a comment like this made would have earned him death or at least charges of treason.
Now there could be a case for republicanism. The party I have supported, the Canadian Alliance, was born of the Reform Party, both of which have been supported and moved by individuals calling for fundamental and radical reforms to this country and its institutions. Moving from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, much like the United States has been a popular suggestion in this part of the country too. Replacing the monarchy has been a popular cause not only for those on the right wing of things political, but also for those on the left, who believe the Crown has been highly pretentious for their progressive minds. All should be commended, however at a time when we welcome Her Majesty herself in our country, Mr. Manley should have just shut his trap.
Honestly, I would be perfectly fine with Mr. Manley spouting his errant nonsense, however not now with the subject of his criticism here. Mind you, Mr. Manley did not criticise Her Majesty directly, and he did subsequently apologise. His wish is that following the reign of this current monarch, perhaps Canada find its own head of state. There maybe some argument there, but that doesn’t excuse him for having bad manners and appearing petty and contemptible. Monarchists and non-monarchists alike are dismayed by Mr. Manley’s comments because they insult the service that The Queen has given to her nation, and that of the rest of the Commonwealth, namely Canada. Mr. Manley’s comments insult Her Majesty’s 50 years on the throne, and that which her own father committed before her. George VI’s life was consumed by early death, because unlike his brother Edward VIII, he believed in service above all else. On the occasion of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee it is just disappointing in that an otherwise capable and respectable politician like John Manley spout off so.
Note too, that when Her Majesty embarks on the Ottawa leg of her tour, just exactly which cabinet minister will accompany The Queen as she arrives and makes visits in her honour. Why, none other than Her Majesty’s loyal servant, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, The Honourable John Manley, P.C., member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council for Canada. As he heads the party that will meet and accompany The Queen, Mr. Manley should smile extra hard at every photo opportunity. The hypocrisy is damning.
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An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .