"You have to spend your political capital on great causes for your country"

When Brian Mulroney asserted that one must spend political capital on great causes for the country, he was reflecting on the importance of using influence, trust, and mandate for purposes that transcend political self-interest. Political capital encompasses not only the goodwill earned from past achievements or popularity but also the power to shape policies and priorities. Leaders accumulate this capital through electoral victories, successful legislation, or persuasive leadership, but its value lies in how it is used, not simply in its possession.

The temptation to conserve political capital, saving it for crises or using it incrementally to secure minor wins, is always present for those in power. However, Mulroney suggests that true leadership is demonstrated by investing it boldly in transformative initiatives. These are efforts that might court controversy, risk popularity, or divide opinion, yet hold the potential to meaningfully improve the nation’s well-being or future. By championing landmark causes, whether in social reform, constitutional change, environmental protection, or economic transformation, a leader stakes reputation and political longevity on the prospect of substantial progress.

Such expenditure is inherently risky; it can erode popularity in the short term and even lead to electoral defeat. Yet the legacy of leadership is measured not in how much political capital is hoarded, but in the positive, lasting change delivered. Cautious governance may achieve stability, but it rarely advances a country’s interests with the same vigor as visionary action. Bold use of political capital can unify, challenge, and inspire a nation, demonstrating that leaders are willing to bear personal and political costs for the public good. Ultimately, Mulroney’s rationale is that political influence finds its highest purpose when it is invested unsparingly in causes that truly matter, ensuring that the privilege of leadership serves the broader interests of the country rather than mere political survival.