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But Mr. Flaherty baulked.

“He told the PM that he was owed one more budget, and if he was not going to be finance minister, he did not want any other portfolio. He then walked out of 24 Sussex, got into his car, and began the drive to Whitby [his riding].”

Fortunately, Mr. Flaherty was the first minister Mr. Harper and his chief of staff, Ian Brodie, met on that August afternoon. Mr. Carson says they discussed what to do and Mr. Flaherty stayed.

A wise move as it turned out. Just a year later, he was at the helm when the government had to grapple with the global economic recession. His handling of that economic crisis drew plaudits from Mr. Harper, who in recent years lauded him as the world’s best finance minister.

The 329-page book is a rare insider’s look at the Conservatives and Mr. Harper’s approach to leadership, governing and controversy.

Since he left the PMO, Mr. Carson had his own brushes with negative headlines. He’s been charged with influence pedding and illegal lobbying.

His book details how the Tories learned to manage power and deal with thorny issues from Afghanistan to aboriginal affairs. He also writes how the PM’s penchant for message control has become problematic since winning a majority in 2011.

“Moving into the last year and a half of this mandate, the Harper government cannot ignore the problems and challenges it faces,” he says.

“They are as much due to the style of this government as what the government has done, attempted to do, or neglected to do. The communications position of less is best may have been appropriate for the first term in office, but in a majority situation, the ‘us against them’ mentality is not necessary.”

Postmedia News