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   This is an open letter to Premier Wab Kinew, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba and Obby Khan, Official Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba.

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Gentlemen,

   I would like to ask you to consider meeting with me, the two of you together in the same room at the same time.

   Let me explain please.

   I am 78 years old and have seen a lot of Manitoba politics. I don’t mean to sound like I am bragging and I by no means intend to imply that I am smarter than either of you. But, I do have 30 years more experience than either of you. I have two sons that are ten years older than you two men are. So, with that in mind, please hear me out.

   I have known every Manitoba premier since Douglas Campbell. I have known some of them very well. I have observed Manitoba politics very closely and you may remember, but you can certainly be excused if you don’t, that I tried to get elected a couple of times as an MLA and MP. I even ran for the leadership of PC Manitoba back in 2006. I have been in the newspaper business, albeit not continuously since 1968, but continu­ously since 1989 and have seen and heard a lot. Now I know all that and $3 will buy you a cup of coffee but my age, experience and observations I think may be helpful to you both.

   I offer these observations and ideas for the good of you both and for Manitoba.

   As I indicated, I have closely ob­served and followed Manitoba politics since the the mid 1950s. I remember the building of the Floodway, the Portage Diversion, BiPole III, the introduction of Autopac and numer­ous leadership conventions for both the NDP and PC parties.

   I have witnessed many legislative sessions, some in person, some by way of TV and other news media cover­age. The debates have been intense and prolonged. I have been to several committee meetings as a witness and an observer.

   Here’s the deal. You gentlemen are young, fairly photogenic, fairly good communicators and are gaining some strengths in terms of policy.

   However, you are both falling very short in terms of your behaviour in The House. You are both descending into the dark pit of cheap shots, insults, half truths and general nastiness. It’s not the way things should be. Pour­ing out and drawing out nastiness is not doing either of you any good, not helping our legislature or the people of Manitoba.

   I know I may sound pretentious but I do want to meet with both of you and at the same time. You need to both shape up and as an experienced journalist, former mayor, a father, grandfather and great grandfather, I feel it’s time you two men had a fireside chat with an older person who has seen a lot of life’s experiences, some of which you have not had.

   I await your reply and would be happy to travel to Winnipeg to meet with you both.

   For the good of Manitoba, I am yours sincerely,

   

Ken Waddell,

Publisher and Owner

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the writer’s personal views and are not to be taken as being the view of the Neepawa Banner & Press, Rivers Banner and Virden Empire Advance staff.