Preston Manning is a prominent Canadian politician and political strategist, best known as the founder and former leader of the Reform Party of Canada and later, the Canadian Alliance. His career represents a significant shift in Canadian politics, contributing to the reshaping of the Conservative movement and influencing the national political landscape for decades.
Born in 1942, Manning hails from a political family. His father, Ernest Manning, served as the Premier of Alberta for an impressive 25 years under the Social Credit banner. While Preston inherited a conservative worldview, he diverged from the Social Credit’s populist economic policies. He pursued a career in business and consulting before entering politics, earning a degree in economics from the University of Alberta.
Frustrated with the perceived dominance of Central Canada and the Progressive Conservative Party’s perceived abandonment of Western Canadian interests, Manning spearheaded the creation of the Reform Party in 1987. The party aimed to represent the concerns of Western Canadians, advocating for fiscal conservatism, reduced government intervention, and greater provincial autonomy. Initially dismissed by many as a fringe movement, the Reform Party steadily gained momentum, capitalizing on discontent with the Mulroney government and attracting socially conservative voters.
Under Manning’s leadership, the Reform Party achieved significant electoral success. In the 1993 federal election, the party won 52 seats, becoming the official opposition. This marked a watershed moment, signaling the rise of a new conservative force in Canadian politics and weakening the traditional Progressive Conservative Party. Manning’s articulate and principled approach resonated with many voters who felt ignored by the established political parties.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Manning worked to unite the right-wing forces in Canadian politics. He recognized that dividing the conservative vote would only benefit the Liberal Party. This led to the formation of the Canadian Alliance in 2000, a merger of the Reform Party and some members of the Progressive Conservative Party. Manning served as the first leader of the Canadian Alliance, but stepped down in 2002.
While the Canadian Alliance ultimately failed to unseat the Liberal government, it paved the way for the eventual merger of the Progressive Conservative Party and the Canadian Alliance in 2003, creating the modern Conservative Party of Canada. This new party, under the leadership of Stephen Harper, went on to form a majority government in 2006, fulfilling Manning’s long-held vision of a united conservative movement capable of governing Canada.
Since leaving active politics, Manning has remained an influential figure through his think tank, the Manning Centre for Building Democracy. This organization promotes conservative principles and provides a platform for conservative thinkers and activists. Manning continues to contribute to public discourse through his writings and speeches, offering his perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Canada. His legacy lies in his pivotal role in reshaping the Canadian conservative movement and his enduring influence on the country’s political landscape.
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