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Recently, I attended the PC Party of Manitoba’s event to meet the leadership candidates. As someone who has been involved in public service and experienced the intricacies of politics, I wasn’t shocked by the reaction from some of the old guard to my presence.

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Their frustration was palpable, not necessarily toward me personally, but toward The Winnipeg Sun. The Sun’s commitment to reporting the truth — whether it aligns with political preferences or not — was evidently a sore spot. Our decision to cover the “Car Rental” invoice scandal without taking sides had unsettled them, and it became clear that even a straightforward act of journalism can meet resistance when it threatens entrenched political power.

Interim Leader Wayne Ewasko took a moment to introduce the former MLAs in attendance, though he notably left my name out. It was a small gesture, but it reaffirmed what I’ve come to believe about politics: it is too often driven by petty divisions, personal grudges, and a hunger for influence rather than by a genuine desire to serve.

Both sides of the political aisle engage in this game, and it’s a game that ultimately serves no one but those clinging to power. But in my time in politics, I’ve also made friends and have valued the opportunity to contribute to a community that has been so generous to me and my family. I don’t regret stepping forward to serve, though it came with its share of challenges and revelations about the true nature of the political landscape.

It’s worth acknowledging that this divisive culture isn’t limited to one end of the spectrum. The left has perfected a kind of flash-mob politics that exerts pressure on anyone who dares to oppose its stance, often threatening economic or professional consequences. Many cave to this pressure, including........

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