Mr. Smith Goes to Ottawa

In Mr Smith Goes to Ottawa, the author compares the 34th(1988-93) and the 35th (1993-97) Parliaments. The former, the secondconsecutive Conservative-led majority government, could not appear moredifferent from the Liberal one which followed. Over two-thirds of itsmembers were rookies. More significantly, over one-third representedtwo new political parties - the Bloc Quebecois and the Reformparty.

Yet, for all this change, Docherty shows that the new agendas of the35th Parliament have not translated into changes in the legislativebehaviour or socialization of new members. Unlike Jimmy Stewart inWashington, the majority of the men and women who go to Ottawa end upaccepting a limited policy role.