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Two and Out

PETERS: Queen Elizabeth showed us that dignity and grace is possible in public life

Sep 9, 2022 | 10:59 AM

LONGTIME READERS AND VIEWERS of Two and Out will know that this space is no friend of the British monarchy.

However, a day after the Queen’s death, we will deign to say something nice.

Despite the atrocities, the colonization and the abuses of power that come along with the monarchy, the opulence and the nonsense of hereditary patronage, Queen Elizabeth herself seemed to be set apart.

The Queen was generally treasured by those who knew her and revered by those who watched her.

She served in her capacity as a leader in public life with warmth, grace and dignity — an example to those who follow.

Keep this in mind as political news is made this weekend.

On one hand, the Conservative Party of Canada is about to choose a new leader.

The front-runner, Pierre Poilievre, is not exactly known for grace and dignity. His career has seen him exude all the warmth of a December evening in Iqaluit.

He’s a career politician who seems to revel in the type of toxicity that drives people away from public service – especially those who want to serve but have no appetite for cutthroat partisan competition.

Thankfully, on the other hand, today will end with at least five people putting their names forward to sit as mayor of Kamloops, and at least two dozen who want to be councillors.

In other B.C. cities and towns, dedicated folks will be stepping up to the challenge of leadership and decision-making, the vast majority of whom will have the best intentions of improving their respective communities.

The toxicity that has driven some away has yet to deter others from this important part of public life.

Both candidates and those who are eventually elected should seek to exude the warmth, grace and dignity so many of us associate with Queen Elizabeth.

They should treat each other and their constituents with a collegial spirit of respect — even those with whom they disagree.

The more political candidates we have who want to put forward a countenance of civility – and the fewer who want to emulate smarmy, scheming attack dogs – the better our entire society will be for it.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

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