Keith Marlowe

Keith Marlowe (born April 15, 1982) served as national youth president of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from August 2002 to December 2003. Marlowe was the final national youth president in the long history of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Marlowe is a 2008 graduate of the University of Windsor Faculty of Law (LL.B.) and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (J.D.). Marlowe completed his undergraduate studies at Mount Royal University in 2004, graduating with a degree in public relations.

Marlowe has been active on well over a dozen political campaigns in his 15-year involvement in politics. Marlowe’s campaign highlights include: Joe Clark, federal election (2000); Ray Clark, Calgary mayoral election (2001); Jim Prentice, Progressive Conservative Party of Canada leadership (2003); Tony Clement, Conservative Party of Canada leadership (2004); and Dave Rodney, Calgary Lougheed election (2005).

Presidency
Marlowe was elected by a majority of youth delegates at the 2002 National General Meeting of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in Edmonton, Alberta.

Historical changes
In August 2002, shortly after Marlowe was elected as national youth president, Joe Clark announced his resignation as leader of the party. Clark's resignation resulted in a spirited leadership race involving Peter MacKay, Jim Prentice, Scott Brison, David Orchard, Heward Grafftey and Craig Chandler. The executive dispersed amongst the various campaigns, and Marlowe headed up the youth movement for Jim Prentice's leadership campaign. Prentice ultimately placed second to MacKay in that contest.

MacKay's election opened the door to merger talks with then Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper. Their talks resulted in a merger between the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and the Canadian Alliance. While the PC Youth Federation endorsed and supported the merger, the PCYF executive was unsuccessful in their campaign to have youth representation entrenched in the merger agreement. After the merger of the two parties, the new Conservative Party of Canada rejected a formalized youth wing by a close vote of 51%-49%.

Media
Marlowe is "determined to get young Canadians involved in politics." In 2002, Marlowe was quoted as saying, “Canadian politics must be made relevant to young people. Canada needs young leaders to become passionate about the country and involved in shaping its future.” Catherine Ford, a columnist for the Calgary Herald, wrote that “his words could be directed at all young Canadians, regardless of political affiliations, and in particular, at all the young people who just don't bother.”