Manning invited him to participate in the party, and Harper gave a speech at Reform's 1987 founding convention in Winnipeg. He became the Reform Party's chief policy officer, and he played a major role in drafting the 1988 election platform. The 1988 elections platform otherwise known as the Blue Book, which helped formed the principles and policies of the party. Harper was influenced by his political mentor, Tom Flanagan when writing the book. He is credited with creating Reform's campaign slogan, "The West wants in!"