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The 99 Conservative MPs who survived Oct. 19 face a rebuilding challenge. After 10 years as “Harper Conservatives” and foot soldiers of the “New Harper Government,” the Conservative caucus has lost more than an election and leader. It has lost its identity as well.

As they set out to build a new reputation for their party, Tory MPs might look at restoring the dignity of Parliament at the same time.

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Nothing did more to turn Canadians against the Harper Conservative government than its centralized, autocratic one-man control over every aspect of policy and politics. The Conservative election campaign, focused nearly exclusively on Stephen Harper, reminded Canadians painfully of the years when he entrusted far more untrammelled, unaccountable power in the Ray Novaks and the Nigel Wrights than to any MP actually elected by the Canadian people.

Despite the servile behaviour of far too many ministers and backbenchers during the Harper years, many MPs are ambitious, decent, and dedicated to parliamentary democracy. There must be some in the Conservative caucus who shared the public’s chagrin at seeing Parliament rendered ever more meaningless in the Harper years.