It Happened in Rawdon

Robert Stanfield

1914 11 04 - 2003 12 16

The Prime Minister Who Never Was

This story was told to me several years ago. Not only did I find it funny, I feel it reflects the highly competitive and frantic atmosphere of election time in Rawdon. Although most characters involved are long gone in respect I prefer not to use names.

There is always more than one side to every story. After reading this version, if anyone would like to share another side, or add to this story, please do.

Federal Elections in 1968 pitted the very conservative Robert Stanfield against the ultimate extrovert, Pierre Trudeau. Here in Rawdon, as elsewhere, the race seemed to be very close. Tensions were running high between the respective organization committees. With just a few days until election day, all stops were taken out and the rhetoric was escalating.

Committee members of the opposing parties were barely speaking to each other. Bravado, loud and clear, was spouting from both sides.

The Liberal committee announced a big rally to celebrate the imminent arrival of their candidate. To counteract this event, desperate measures were taken by a strong, and very vocal, supporter of Robert Stanfield (who we will call Miss C). Much to her chagrin this Conservative supporter lived next door to the head of the local Liberal committee whose wife was also a very efficient organizer for the committee.

After much thought, and apparently little consideration, Miss C devised a plan to rival, even surpass the Liberal event. All day she kept a careful watch on the house next door and when the wife, (who we will call Mrs. L) appeared, Miss C rushed out and called her the fence. After prodding her a bit on the expected arrival of the local Liberal candidate in order to verify the announcement, Miss C announced the Conservative committee would be hosting not merely a local candidate, but the head of the Conservative Party, Mr. Stanfield! Of course Mrs. L pooh-hood the boast stating that it was only bluff.