MacKay deserves to stay

If there’s one thing that people in Central Nova know about politics, it’s we have a high profile and important minister representing our area. That’s more than a lot of people can say.

But how long will that last?

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will shuffle his cabinet tomorrow, in an effort to re-energize his government and give the impression that he is a pro-active leader that makes changes when they are necessary. There is no doubt about the pro-active part and the Lord knows that this government could use a re-energizing.

If there is one thing I hear in Central Nova is that voters like having a high profile minister, and they do not want the PM to demote our minister t a lesser role.

Sure, Peter MacKay had some stumbles out of the block, but has come along nicely as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. MacKay certainly has his feet under him now and is performing wonderfully as the country’s representative to the world on a daily basis. He’s forged an amicable relationship with Condoleezza Rice and has largely patched relations between our country and the United States, something left lacking by the Liberals under former Prime Minister’s Chretien and Martin.

A demotion for MacKay now would spell one thing for the Conservatives not only in Central Nova but in Atlantic Canada- trouble. Not only would the Prime Minister have forsaken the region with the Atlantic Accord issue, but he would indirectly show both a doubt of MacKay’s abilities and a measure of disrespect.

For the Prime Minister to give MacKay anything but the status quo or a promotion would be seen by voters, here in Central Nova, exactly what they have come to expect from this PM– that he has no respect for the region or it’s people.