In Mr Smith Goes to Ottawa, David Docherty compares the 34th (1988-93) and 35th (1993-7) Parliaments. The 35th Parliament appeared to offer a radical change. Over two-thirds of MPs were rookies and over one-third represented two new parties - the Bloc Quebecois and the Reform Party - both of which came to Ottawa promising to alter the current political status quo.

This led some people to view the session as a crucial one, holding the potential to modify substantially the type of representation Canadians had known for decades. But the combination of new parties, new MPs, and new agendas did not translate into changes in the Commons. As Docherty shows, most of the new MPs, regardless of party affiliation, accepted a limited policy role and learned to appreciate the importance of constituency work.

Basing his arguments on surveys and extensive interviews with members of both Parliaments, Docherty examines the implications of these findings for larger questions of legislative reform and governance. In doing so, this book, the first in-depth look at the realities of political service, makes a valuable contribution to our knowledge of Canadian politics and the Canadian parliamentary system.