By Pamela Stephens
The Conservative Party of Canada selected its candidate for Ottawa Centre in a tight race between two very different candidates, last week.
Michael Murphy, a 41-year old lawyer, defeated 21-year old university student and musician Mark Donnelly at a nomination meeting held on Tuesday, March 30. Murphy received 93 of the 166 votes.
Upon hearing the results, Donnelly introduced a motion to “make this victory unanimous.”
“The real winner tonight was Conservatism,” said Donnelly to the enthusiastic crowd at the San Marco Hall. “The only loser was the Liberal Party of Canada!”
The union of the Canadian Alliance and the Conservative party is now complete.
Murphy says he’s ready to take on his two main political rivals, NDP candidate Ed Broadbent and Liberal candidate Richard Mahoney.
“Yes, NDP candidate, yes, Liberal candidate in Ottawa Centre: look out, here we come,” said Murphy, echoing the sentiment of his defeated opponent.
The nomination meeting began with a keynote speech from Loyola Hearn, MP for St. John’s West.
Hearn reiterated the importance of the unification of the right and assured both candidates and voters alike that the Conservative Party of Canada is “no joke.”
“Can we win this seat? You bet your sweet bippy we can,” he said.
Both candidates were allowed a 12-minute speech before ballots were cast, but there was no formal time allotted to answer questions from the audience.
The newly elected Conservative candidate for Ottawa-Vanier, Kevin Sorenson, was on-hand and supported Murphy’s campaign by introducing his speech.
Murphy says the focus of the night was clear: the Conservative Party of Canada is a new party with a new leader, ready to bring new ideas to the House of Commons.
“One Conservative voice, une seule voix conservatrice, does make a difference,” he said in his address.
But not everyone was happy with the organization of the meeting.
One said the entire meeting was a disgrace because attendees weren’t allowed to ask questions.
“It’s a scandal that this party of new ideas does not allow people to ask the candidates questions about what they think,” said Nicholas Patterson. “It’s ridiculous!”
Patterson was also doubtful of the suitability of either candidate to adequately represent Ottawa Centre.
“One is too young and the other is a tired, old federal public service lawyer. What could be worse than a federal public service lawyer?”
Murphy said he is going to be campaigning immediately and thanked Donnelly for running.
“I’m so happy we had a contest,” he said. “We had a wonderful turnout…great energy!”
Donnelly said he is now going to focus on school and other endeavours.