Altered States - Dealing With "The Ugly"

This is the ugliest period in our politics in many decades ... tribalism!"

- Thomas Mann (political analyst)

London, Ontario’s an interesting city of over 300,000 people and some great institutions.  My own riding hosts hospitals, the university, cultural groups, head office of the Chamber of Commerce and the downtown region. People from all over the city work in the riding.Yet even in such a cosmopolitan place I have learned the tribalism is alive and well. People from all political stripes work for companies, volunteer on charitable boards, play pick-up hockey and take their kids to the same school. They are friends, close colleagues and key community contributors and the city is better for their combined efforts.  Not for one minute would you be able to tell what their respective political positions were.Until an election that is, and then the gloves are off.  It’s fascinating to watch but it’s begun to trouble my spirit. These people that have worked so well together suddenly split off in different directions for a few weeks, undertaking subtle political combat.  It’s normal and little harm results.  Yet while political parties in Ottawa undertake war by another means, these important men and women are largely refusing to mirror such an extreme.I am learning that these people are looking for a “place,” a way of being that can reflect political differences while at the same time maintaining the deep respect and friendship that characterizes their daily lives.  In other words, the way Ottawa plays politics no longer suits the spirit of most communities in this country.  MPs may bludgeon one another in the House, but these individuals refuse to undertake because the very quality of life in their communities is at stake and they know it.I guess it’s fair to say that I am attempting to create that space, a kind of real life chat room, where such people can come together in order to save tribal politics from itself. To a certain extent, this space is even being created in Ottawa, as MPs from all parties attempt to break through the extremes of the “camp” mentality that rules at present.  Many have followed the pages of this blog and often comment on how they agree with the sentiment that we can do better.  The list includes certain ministers and key critics. The Conservative MP from the riding next to mine – Ed Holder – has worked seamlessly with me as we seek to bring the best of politics to the city of London.  Citizens in large numbers applaud the effort.I’m under no illusions that this quest will change politics in the capital, but I have learned that other people, including politicians, have been looking for permission to break the bonds of hyper-tribalism and head for a more peaceable place – a circle once occupied by fair-minded and decent individuals who, despite partisanship, believed more in the country than their party.  That state no longer exists in force – it’s been altered – but its spirit and intention yet remain and call all of us to a higher plain.  My friends from all political persuasions in London get it and they are supporting the efforts to expand the more non-partisan franchise.  It’s time to end the tribalism of meanness and animosity.  My riding of London North Centre, to their great credit, has begun to lead the way.