Mr. Smith Goes to Ottawa: Life in the House of Commons

In Mr Smith Goes to Ottawa, the author compares the 34th (1988-93) andthe 35th (1993-97) Parliaments. The former, the second consecutiveConservative-led majority government, could not appear more differentfrom the Liberal one which followed. Over two-thirds of its memberswere rookies. More significantly, over one-third represented two newpolitical parties - the Bloc Quebecois and the Reform party. Yet, forall this change, Docherty shows that the new agendas of the 35thParliament 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.