MONTREAL — Belinda Stronach emerges from the chic Montreal hotel where she's just fine-tuned her final push to overhaul Liberal party democracy.

She's barely a block from the lobby and a morning of weighty discussions, including an ambitious plan to revolutionize agriculture in parts of Africa, when an admirer stops her on the street.

"I saw you on TV last night," says the middle-aged woman, a member of the Liberal women's commission. "You looked great."

A brief discussion follows about the havoc Montreal humidity plays on hair. The admirer comments on Stronach's brown eyes. "That's one thing I can't change," the Liberal MP says with a wan smile.

Stronach, 40, has big plans and has adopted a policy oriented, low-key approach to her first Liberal convention. But on the street among her fans, it's still all about the new look.

The obvious superficial change is her shift from blond to brunette, but Stronach is tackling serious issues like women's rights and party structure, trying to put substance over style.

Stronach championed the push to put an end to the long tradition of federal leadership conventions. Her plan to adopt a one-member, one-vote failed Thursday, meaning the steamy backroom dealings of the political convention will survive another day.

One-member, one-vote became Stronach's crusade when she bowed out of the leadership race in the spring. She put on a brave face after her defeat.

"I'm not so disappointed, I think it's unfortunate, I think the party missed a moment to really modernize," she says in an interview. "But the debate has begun."

Political conventions are known for big bashes and nobody in politics throws them like Stronach. This time, however, she is behind the scenes helping the youth wing organize a tribute to former prime minister Paul Martin. She's left the post of party host to others.

"We'll throw a party on the hill in Ottawa for everybody," Stronach says. "There's 24 hours in the day and you've got to decide where you want to focus your energy."

Stronach is one prime target in the behind-the-scenes jockeying for position among candidates in the current leadership race.

Every day the four front-runners and their staffers are nudging elbows or on the phone gently trying to draw Stronach into their camps.

"They're moving around in various packs trying to show they have momentum, trying to convert to their side," she says.

"I'd be on that list of people they're trying to convert."

Stronach says she plans to remain "publicly neutral" during the convention while coyly clinging to the possibility of changing her mind later.

Stronach does owe a favour to Martha Hall Findlay, the last-placed and lone female candidate who stepped aside so Stronach could run in her riding as a Liberal in the last election.

Stronach hints that political payback may not be her top priority.

"I'm very appreciative to Martha for what she did when I changed parties and when I came to the Liberal party," Stronach says.

"I don't take that for granted. But we're also picking the person who can best represent the party and be the next prime minister."

All the secretive manoeuvring at the convention proves the need for reform, she argues.

"There are backroom deals being made, and to me that cuts out the membership base," Stronach says.

"I like to have a say over who the leader would be and be able to follow that through the successive ballots and choices. The members should have the same right."

Stronach doesn't say it, but a new system would have the added benefit of giving party newcomers like her a better chance of taking a run at the leadership.

Mass appeal trumps massive organization in the party with one member, one vote. Her street appeal is a major asset in that kind of race.