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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.[1]

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Marlowe is currently a law student at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. Marlowe graduated from Mount Royal College in 2004 with a degree in public relations and a certificate in technical writing.

Marlowe has been active on well over a dozen political campaigns in his 10-year involvement in politics. Marlowe’s campaign highlights include: Rt. Hon. 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), Dave Rodney, Calgary Lougheed election (2005).[2]

Keith Marlowe after winning the national youth presidency of the PC Party of Canada in Edmonton, Alberta (August, 2002).

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.

Between 2002-2003, Progressive Conservative Youth Federation membership increased to 5,500 young people between the ages of 14-25.[3] This number represented approximately 10% of the total party membership. The number of campus clubs also increased from approximately 15 to almost 100.[4]

In August 2002, shortly after Marlowe was elected as national youth president, Joe Clark announced his resignation as leader of the party. Joe 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. Jim Prentice ultimately placed second to Peter MacKay in that contest.

Peter 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%.

Keith Marlowe "is determined to get young Canadians involved in politics." ^[1][2]. 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.” ^[3]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.”^[4]

In the words of Calgary Sun columnist, Paul Jackson, “My friends, watch Keith Marlowe, he's going places.” ^[5]

• Progressive Conservative Youth Federation
• Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
• Conservative Party of Canada
• Canadian Alliance

1. ^ Hurman, Todd (May 16, 2002).
2. ^ "PC youth president a big Joe Clark supporter". Fort McMurray Today
3. ^ Ford, Catherine (Jun. 7, 2002). "Bad leaders survive because we let them". Calgary Herald.
4. ^ Ford, Catherine (Jun. 7, 2002). "Bad leaders survive because we let them". Calgary Herald.
5. ^ Jackson, Paul (Mar. 14, 2002). "Watch this guy". Calgary Sun.

• Keith Marlowe
• University of Detroit Mercy - Law School
• University of Windsor - Law School