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To even the most casual follower of Canadian politics over the last 15 years, Deborah Grey is well known as the first elected MP of the Reform party. Named after a quote from her political idol Nellie McClung, Grey's autobiography,
Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize chronicles her beginnings as a teacher in rural Alberta through her 14 years in politics, a career characterized by the no-nonsense style she took with her peers and the issues of the day. It's an intriguing behind-the-scenes view of the political process from an outsider who became an insider. With her first by-election win, Grey introduced a new voice to the House of Commons, where she would be joined by many colleagues in subsequent elections, first as Reform then Canadian Alliance MPs. In looking back on her career, she defends the party effectively and believably against the accusations of racism it was often dogged by, yet unapologetic in her criticisms of Stockwell Day and his disastrous performance as Alliance leader in the 2000 election. Upon hearing him lay blame on his overworked staffers after one of his many public gaffes, she realized "Stockwell Day was not a leader. The mark of a true leader is to give credit to those under you when things go well and to take the blame yourself when things go wrong." Her willingness to praise or criticize her parliamentary colleagues as she sees fit, whatever their political stripe, only reinforces her credibility. And when discussing her Christian faith and how it serves her both in personal and professional life, she displays a firm understanding of the importance of respecting those of different faiths and the separation of church and state, regardless of attempts by other parties and the media to paint her party as far-right Christian evangelicals. Grey quit politics in 2003, citing the need for new challenges. One feels her voice and personality will be sorely missed by the Conservative party and by political spotters of all affiliations.
--Eric Wilson
Product Description
?Never retreat, never explain, never apologize; just get the thing done and let them howl.? ? Nellie McClung Like Famous Fiver Nellie McClung, Deborah Grey is known as one of the more outspoken in the Canadian political arena. She is a larger than life figure on Parliament Hill, arriving for work dressed in black leather riding gear astride her Honda Goldwing motorcycle, appearing on the always skewering This Hour Has 22 Minutes and more. Her ability to spar with words is unmatched. She is the author of such memorable sobriquets as ?Shawinigan Strangler? (Jean Chretien), "Binder Boy" (former Chretien fixer Don Boudria), ?Miss Management? (former human resources minister Jane Stewart), and ?Captain Whirlybird? (Paul Martin). A politician?s politician, Grey certainly has a way with words: On Martin?s refusal to help the military she said ?Tanks for nothing.? And refers to her friend and mentor Preston Manning as ?Misterbrainiola.? Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize is the candid story of a woman who grew up in a family ravaged by a father?s alcohol abuse, a woman who has learned and shares the healing values of family, friendship, mentoring, and faith. It is her story of day to day life working as a teacher, as a single foster mother to native children. And it is the behind the scenes story of her triumphant ascent in politics ultimately making Canadian history by becoming the first Reform Party MP and seeing her one seat in 1989 grow to 52 seats in 1993 and to 60 seats in 1997, forming the Official Opposition. Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize is a personal memoir that will open your eyes to life on Parliament Hill and provide insight into what motivates a fighter like Deborah Grey to embark on a life in politics. It is also an inspired story of how someone of humble beginnings with genuine ambition and an indefatigable sense of fun and energy can go on to accomplish great things.
