10 Comments
User's avatar
Luc Lalande's avatar

As an additional reading reference to your thoughtful piece is Carney's 2021 book "Values: Building a Better World for All", I suggest Marc Lee's (published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) article "Mark Carney’s Values: What his 2021 book reveals about the leader he might be" - https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/mark-carneys-values-what-his-2021-book-reveals-about-the-leader-he-might-be/

Expand full comment
Tom Goldsmith's avatar

Thanks Luc! Lee's piece is a super helpful analysis. I looked at it when I wrote my initial take on Carney after he won the leadership election back in March: https://orbitpolicy.substack.com/p/a-man-for-the-moment I hadn't gone back to re-read that piece before I wrote that one but they're pretty consistent in my take.

Expand full comment
Mike's avatar

I was thinking that when confronted, his natural default is to placate. As with Trump, so with Premier Smith as well.

I agree, we need more politicians willing to govern to get things done. Not just to govern. Which actually is something we see in the second Trump term.

Expand full comment
Tom Goldsmith's avatar

Yes indeed. Trump demonstrates how much people have the power to change things, though unfortunately, he's used that power for the worst. But better is possible.

I've used this quote from Kelly Hayes a few times, but it is one I think of a lot:

"A lot of things people say ‘cannot be done’ have not been meaningfully attempted in our context or our lifetimes. It’s easy to maintain myths of impossibility when you crush all experiments."

I found it in Ruha Benjamin's amazing book "Imagination: A Manifesto" which really is worth reading.

Expand full comment
Don Curren's avatar

Excellent piece

Expand full comment
Tom Goldsmith's avatar

Thanks Don!

Expand full comment
Don Curren's avatar

You’re welcome. Thank you for writing the piece.

Expand full comment
Nevin French's avatar

You could have also mentioned: he's wanting meetings to start on time and black shoes with business suits.

Expand full comment
Tom Goldsmith's avatar

I'd missed the black shoes with business suits!

Expand full comment
Nevin French's avatar

English bankers know that there should be no brown in town.

Expand full comment