When you are young, it is easy to follow the crowd.
Following the convention in Ottawa, Trudeaumania swept
across Canada, but in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Liberal Tide was going
out.
After 19 years of Smallwood rule – and no successor in sight
– people of the province turned against the Liberals and elected six Tories.
Only Don Jamison on the south coast was spared from the anti-Liberal
backlash.
Many teenagers would have gotten on the bandwagon and
switched sides to the more popular choice. Yet, Jim remained a Liberal,
campaigning for the Liberal candidate Meech Matthews in the riding of
Humber-St. George’s – St. Barbe.
Jim says he still meets people today who recalls his
audacity as a 15 year old, hopping on a 10-speed bike with a Liberal sign
and following a 200-car Tory procession led by the popular Frank Moores and
Jack Marshall.
Jim being sworn in as MHA by Hon. John Crosbie |
The following year, Smallwood announced his retirement and
Jim – now 16 – joined the John Crosbie for Leader Team. Smallwood did his famous comeback
pronouncement saying he had changed his mind and he would be running to succeed
himself. At that point many people would have switched back and supported the
stronger candidate.
Not Jim. To him, in politics, as in life, a commitment made is to be honored. He stuck with Crosbie and they were
trounced by the more experienced, better funded Smallwood machine. A
bitter John Crosbie and many of his supported abandoned the Liberal Party and
joined the Tories.
Not Jim. To him, Liberalism has always been a cause
much larger than any one person. Leaders will come and Leaders will go, but to
Jim, the Liberal Party is the best party to advance the interests of most
people over the long term.
Even in his early years, Jim showed a strength of character
uncommon to men of his age, and he exhibited a steadfast
commitment to the Liberal Party which he still holds today.
Team Jim Bennett