Liberal Deep Thinkers
While visiting England recently, Prime Minister Paul Martin is invited to have tea with the Queen.
Given his recent political problems, he decides to take advantage of her years of leadership experience and asks her what her leadership philosophy is.
She responds that it is to surround herself with the most intelligent people she can find and let them do their jobs.
Intrigued with this novel theory, Martin asks her how she is able to tell if the people are intelligent.
"I do so by asking them a test question" responds the Queen. "Allow me to demonstrate."
The Queen then dials 10 Downing Street and asks to speak to Tony Blair.
"Mr. Prime Minister, please answer a hypothetical question for me.
"I'll do my best, Your Majesty" responds Blair.
"Your mother has a child and your father has a child" says the Queen. "The child is not your brother or your sister. Who is the child?"
Tony Blair hesitates momentarily and then confidently replies "Well, Your Majesty, I guess it would have to be me."
"Correct" says the Queen. "Thank you and good day to you Sir." The Queen hangs up and says "Did you hear that Mr.. Martin? See how clever he is."
Impressed, Martin replies "I certainly did. I'll definitely be using that one when I conduct my next Cabinet shuffle back in Canada."
Upon returning to Ottawa, Martin decides he'd better put some of his senior Cabinet Ministers to the test.
He summons John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources to his office and says, " Minister, I wonder if you could answer a question for me?"
"Why of course Sir" Efford responds eagerly, impressed that the Prime Minister was actually seeking his input on something.
"Well, uh, let's say your mother has a child and your father too has a child. This child is not your brother and also is not your sister. Who is it?"
Somewhat surprised at this odd question, Efford hems and haws and finally asks if he can have some time to think about it.
"Certainly," responds Martin.
Efford immediately calls a meeting of other senior Liberals and they puzzle over the question for several hours. Totally baffled, they decide to conduct some research and contact a loyal Quebec consulting firm.
A budget of $10 million is provided and intensive research is carried out over the next two weeks. Unfortunately, the consultants are unable to come up with an answer. Desperate to impress his boss, Efford decides to take a chance and calls Newfoundlands Minister of Finance,Loyola Sullivan, who just happened to be in his office in the Confederation Building.
"Loyola," I realize you and I have had many disagreements but that aside I was wondering if you could help me with a big problem. I will certainly make it worth your while. I can guarantee that Newfoundland can get at least a couple of hundred million in government spending over the next year."
Sullivan is naturally sceptical about Liberal promises, but in the spirit of political co-operation he agrees to do what he can to help out.
"O.K., here goes" says Efford. "Your mother has a child and your father has a child. The child is not your brother or your sister. Who is the child?
Without hesitating, Sullivan responds "It would be me, of course."
Impressed at his fellow Newfoundlanders quick response, Efford quickly brushes off Sullivan and rushes to the Prime Minister's office.
"I know the answer to your question Sir!! I know who the child is!!"
Martin, who was privately becoming a bit concerned at the delay in hearing back from Efford, is delighted.
"Who is it John?" he asks.
With obvious pride, Efford replies "Its Loyola Sullivan, Sir - its Loyola Sullivan!!"
Stunned, Martin shouts in disgust, "Wrong you idiot - its Tony Blair!!"