Mike Who?

Mike Harris was nowhere to be seen or heard at the weekend policy conference of the provincial Progressive Conservatives in Niagara Falls, nor was his name cited in speeches and presentations beyond a brief reference by the new leader, John Tory. In a list of the merits of past Conservative leaders, Tory cited Harris’ "consistency" and said: "(He) did what he said he would do."

But many members of the old Harris team were in attendance at the conference, including former cabinet ministers Jim Flaherty, John Baird, Tony Clement, John Snobelen, Chris Stockwell and Steve Gilchrist; former backbenchers Bob Wood, Bart Maves and John Hastings; former aides Guy Giorno, Deb Hutton and Dee Dee Heywood; and former campaigners Alister Campbell and Glen Wright.

Conspicuous by their absence, however, were Tom Long and Leslie Noble, respectively the chair and manager of Harris’ 1995 and 1999 election campaigns.