Norman Doyle - According to Doyle

Its been an interesting twenty-seven years in political life, both at the federal and provincial levels. I suppose I can count myself among the ranks of successful politicians, having been elected eight times back to back, four in each House.

Im not sure how success is measured in politics, but it might have something to do with ones ability to get elected, and after that to get re-elected and re-elected. Then again, success in politics could be measured in other wayshow did you serve your constituents, the province, and country? Did you make it to the cabinet table? Were you respected?

Some people say that a politicians success should be measured by the number of visits he receives (or doesnt receive) from the law-enforcement people. Good news! No visits. No reason, as far as I am aware.

So, with that sort of opening, I guess I could be expected to write exclusively about my time in politics. Well, not so.

As with anyone who lays pen to paper, there is always more to reflect upon than the experiences of just one part of the journey. Notwithstanding my longevity in elected life, I am hesitant to devote too much time to the subject. However, I have had a political career that spans twenty-seven years, so it will be difficult not to consign a chapter or two or more to those very wonderful people who have made such a significant contribution to whatever interesting things I might have encountered on my sojourn.

Simply, what I want to do is tell my story for what its worth. It may not be worth much, but there have been some interesting things to talk about.

Ive heard it said that each of us, without exception, has a book somewhere deep inside our souls begging to be written. All it takes is the motivation to put ones thoughts into print. In my particular case, I have been reluctant to do so, intimidated no doubt by those who, correctly or not, have succeeded in convincing me that, as a politician, I was just about as interesting as paint drying. What could I possibly want to talk about?

Actually, a lot!

Ive read my share of political books, and books written by politicians. The biographies and autobiographies, the memoirs and the tales of great victories written by public figures, all seem a little self-serving and ego-driven.

I cannot possibly hope to go down that track, not because my ego wouldnt stand the strain, but because I have very few victories worthy of public disclosure.

However, I know Ill be forgiven if I have a few points to make on the times and political events that landed me right in the middle of a political career that was unbelievably interesting yet amazingly difficult. Politics is a very difficult job if you intend to do it honestly and with some degree of integrity. The job breeds difficulty. On any given day you can experience the full range of highs and lows. A phone call might come from a grateful constituent to say youve solved the most difficult problem in his or her life, but the next call drops you back to earth, flat on your face. That call might be from an angry individual ready to take a strip off your hide for something over which you have little or no control.

Thats how it goes in politics almost each and every day. As a federal politician, of course, you get to deal with all sorts of federal-provincial issues, issues over which premiers and prime ministers will sometimes take opposing views.

In my twelve years in the House of Commons, it wasas Charles Dickens said in his A Tale of Two Citiesthe best of times and the worst of times. The worst no doubt for me were the times when I found myself in the middle of the big federal-provincial battles trying to be all things to all people.

These were indeed difficult times, especially when you felt the pressure of being squeezed at both ends with your loyalties divided. When youre an MP trying hard to represent your province well, its difficult to divide these loyalties evenly. To paraphrase a scripture verse, you cant serve two masters. If you do you will probably wind up hating one and serving the other.

By virtue of being a Member of Parliament, the two master concept is automatic. You must be conscious of the overall well-being of the country in all decision making. After all, you are a Canadian citizen. At the same time, however, you must be aware that youre elected to serve the people of your province. Their needs are paramount. Sometimes its a tough balancing act, and one I would not have appreciated during my years as a member of the provincial House, because the two master concept just didnt apply or even come to mind.