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The Strange Afterlives of Canadian Prime Ministers

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Former Leaders in Modern Democracies

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Political Leadership Series ((PSPL))

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Abstract

Neither Canadian law nor custom define the role of former prime ministers, and their experience is so varied that few generalizations can be made. Some disappear from the political stage; others linger, hoping for a return to power. Since the Second World War, such a return has been rare. Of the seven who have been defeated since 1945, three had the chance to fight another election as leader: John Diefenbaker, Pierre Trudeau and John Turner. Only one, Trudeau, regained the prime minister’s office, but only because the Tory Government had self-destructed before the Liberal Party could choose a new leader. This is in contrast to an earlier age, when comebacks were common: John A. Macdonald, Arthur Meighen and William Lyon Mackenzie King all returned for a second act, and King even enjoyed a third. After giving up any hope of returning to the country’s top political office, former prime ministers usually leave political life altogether. No former prime minister has served in provincial or municipal office. Most have left the Commons, with only John Diefenbaker and Joe Clark running for parliament after having relinquished the party leadership. Out of politics, they have engaged in a wide range of activities, involving themselves in business, the law, universities and charities. Since 1957, almost all have taken time to write memoirs and have worked to manage their reputations. They have few financial worries, and some have become very wealthy.

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Authors
  1. Stephen Azzi
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leeds, UK

    Kevin Theakston (Professor of British Government and Head of the School of Politics) (Professor of British Government and Head of the School of Politics)

  2. Leiden University, the Netherlands

    Jouke de Vries (Professor of Public Administration and Dean of Campus Den Haag) (Professor of Public Administration and Dean of Campus Den Haag)

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© 2012 Stephen Azzi

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Azzi, S. (2012). The Strange Afterlives of Canadian Prime Ministers. In: Theakston, K., de Vries, J. (eds) Former Leaders in Modern Democracies. Palgrave Studies in Political Leadership Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137265319_4

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