Show Up: A Plain-Language Guide to Parties, Members, and Leadership

It's easy to feel like politics isn't for you. The truth is, it just takes showing up.

Government belongs to Nova Scotians. Parties belong to their members. Everyone is welcome to play a part, and together we are all stronger.

A party leadership race can look like an internal exercise for party insiders. But the person chosen to lead a provincial party helps shape public debate, sets policy priorities, and could become premier.

I'm sharing this straightforward guide to explain how parties work, what party leadership means, and why you should—and how you can—participate.

What is a Political Party?

A political party is simply a group of people who share similar ideas about how to improve life in our province. Anyone can join—no matter your age (14+), background, income, or experience with politics. It is as simple as signing up*.

*\Membership in the Nova Scotia Liberal Party is free. If a party charges a fee, it is usually small.

What does Party Membership mean?

Every member has a voice in shaping what the party stands for. Members can:

• Participate in events and discussions, and serve on committees.
• Contribute to party policies and priorities.
• Vote to choose the party's leader.
• Vote to choose the local candidate who will run in your riding.
• Work together to support candidates (MLAs in NS) during elections.

Political parties reflect the members—so who joins, and who gets involved, matters.

What is a Party Leader, and what do they do?

The leader represents the party and sets its tone, vision, and priorities. The Party Leader:

• Speaks publicly on behalf of the party.
• Leads the party's MLAs in the Legislature.
• Builds the party's platform with member input.
• Unites members and supporters around a shared purpose.
• Becomes premier if the party wins the most seats in an election.

How a Party Chooses Its Leader

Members vote to choose their party's leader in a leadership race. The rules for the race are established through law and through party policy.

The Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership race is happening now. The two candidates are MLA Becky Druhan and Richmond County Deputy Warden Amanda Mombourquette.

Members who want to vote will need to sign up to be “Delegates” on or after August 17, and voting runs from November 21–28, 2026.

From Party to Government

In Nova Scotia's system, we vote for a local MLA in our riding. Most MLAs are members of a party. The party with the most MLAs to be elected in the Legislature usually forms government. The leader of the winning party becomes the premier.

So: Party members choose the leader → voters choose their MLA → the party with the most seats governs → that party's leader leads the province

What’s Coming Next

In my next posts, I’ll explain more about the leadership race—how it works, how to vote—and the role the leader plays once elected. I’ll also share more about my vision for our party and our province.