Not again!
You'd think that after the David Emerson thing, the Conservatives would have learned.
But no.
Here they are, treating another MP who is not a member of the caucus with respect, offering him a role with responsibility, being inclusive instead of exclusive.
It's that sort of dirty and underhanded political scheming that prompted David Emerson to bolt from his proper place among the Liberals, paragons of political virtue that they are.
This time, it is independent Quebec MP Andre Arthur in the sights:
Rookie Quebec Independent MP Andre Arthur, a former shock radio jock, is not ruling out the possibility of joining the federal Conservatives in this Parliament.
A controversial former radio personality whom the governing Tories put on the Commons Industry, Science and Technology Committee recently, Mr. Arthur said that he has not been approached by anyone from the Conservative Party, either formally or informally, to join their party.
"The only thing that I've been approached with is an extraordinary treatment. They gave an Independent a seat on a major Parliamentary Committee--Industry, Science and Technology and that is something that I have to measure, in terms of respect and seduction," he said.
"I think it was Jay Hill [who said in answering a reporter's question] that do you expect Arthur to vote with you all the time and he answered, 'Not all the time but once in a while would be fun.' It's quite evident that for me, this is a hand that's stretched in my direction, I shook it, I appreciate what they did."
That "hand" hides a sinister motive:
[Chief Government Whip Jay Hill ] added that the unusual step of putting Mr. Arthur on the Commons Industry committee has nothing to do with the possibility of enticing him to join the Conservative caucus. Rather, he said that the Prime Minister wants to empower each and every MP so that he or she could play a productive and constructive role in the Parliament.
It's enough to make my blood boil! How are we to have true electoral reform in this country with all these empowered and respected MPs gumming up the works, not doing as they are told by party leaders and spin doctors. Bev Dejarlais, the NDP MP for Churchill, was severely punished by Jack Layton for voting her conscience and according to the wishes of her constituents. No longer an MP, she now works for the Conservatives. Keep this up, and we'll have MPs from all three opposition parties wondering if they might not be happier working for an organization that values their thoughts, and not just their votes.
Imagine how much trouble the Conservatives will be in if that happens.
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Comments
The sarcasm is delicious! :)
Well said, Steve! I'll bet more than a few opposition MP's can't get their heads around this new trend of real parliamentary democracy. Imagine! The nerve of those Conservatives!
Posted by: Dante at May 24, 2006 11:17 PM
Just think no by election. This guy is an independent already, so if he decides to jump he has already fullfilled the village idiots party condition.
Posted by: Pissedoff at May 24, 2006 11:27 PM
The guy is practically a conservative anyway. He will not have contort himself like many other floorcrossers to fit in. Had the Conservatives looked like they stood a chance prior to the last election, he might have even run for them.
I think Arthur would make an excellent addition to the Conservative caucus.
Posted by: Steve at May 24, 2006 11:31 PM
What eh? another "fair weather" friend? You're welcome to him.
Funny to hear a conservative say floor-crossers like Emerson had to 'contort themselves to fit in.' A far cry from the reasons given after the swearing in ceremony.
Best you follow Harper's lead, shut up until you are spoken to, asked for the requisite response, or have your PM-approved notes in front of you.
Jaysus, you'll just keep embarassing Harper if you keep on like this!
Posted by: No Worries at May 25, 2006 12:02 AM
Did I hear correctly? Is the former NDP rep Bev working for the Conservative Party? If so, under what capacity? I am not sure that she would have beat Tina Keeper, but the NDP did not do itself any favours by tossing her. They are going to have the same reputation as the Democrats on these social issues and ultimately the same challenges.
Posted by: DarrenL at May 25, 2006 02:16 AM
DarrenL: Bev Dejarlais is working for Greg Thompson, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, M.P., New Brunswick Southwest.
Posted by: DJeffery at May 25, 2006 03:18 AM
DarrenL: Bev Desjarlais is working for Greg Thompson, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, M.P., New Brunswick Southwest.
Posted by: DJeffery at May 25, 2006 03:27 AM
"Meanwhile, Conservative sources told The Hill Times that there have been some informal contacts between a handful of Bloc MPs and Quebec Conservatives about the possibility of crossing the floor as well."
Now that would be interesting...
Posted by: Jon at May 25, 2006 06:36 AM
Oh, the horror of it all. Inclusive government.
I always thought Mulroney was smart to appoint Stephen Lewis as ambassador to the UN. Got him pretty much out of the country and gave Mulroney a touch of class. Mind you we inflicted Lewis on the rest of the world.
enough
Posted by: at May 25, 2006 08:40 AM
All part of the hidden agenda to destroy Canada by providing good government. It's scary to see Stephen Harper showing leadership and common sense as PM, I long for the days when Paul Martin would flap his arms and tell me what to think and the media would hide all the frightnening realities of the world from me.
Posted by: Virgil at May 25, 2006 09:02 AM
Steve, please don't try to pretend that Harper is operating out of principle here. He's not. You know it and I know it.
Principle is for politicians in opposition, sadly.
Aaron
Posted by: Aaron at May 25, 2006 09:29 AM
I had a real chore trying to swallow this article. With tongue planted so firmly in cheek, it made it very hard to chew.
Posted by: Jan Schaafsma at May 25, 2006 11:13 AM
I am all for bloggers but when you start making a big issue re Arthur crossing the floor without any proof this is giving fuel to libs. Arthur is independent and should he decide to run for a certain party it is his decision. You Mr. Janke are starting to sound like MSM instilling doubts and anger in peoples minds without proof and should more people want to cross over then good for them, so far there is no law against it. (libs got 3 from the Conservative Party) and not much fuss was made about them.
Posted by: Mark DeVille at May 25, 2006 11:35 AM
So Harper wasn't scary in oppososition Aaron? He was principled then?
It doesn't matter what Harper does, where, or how. People like you and the media are lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce...
NONE of us know much about Harper. The difference is we're willing to sit back and wait and judge him by his actions. Some people are all talk, no action (the Liberals for 13 years), some roll up their sleeves and get to work, governing in our Nation's Capital , in Canada, it can be done, believe it, wait for it.
Posted by: Cheri at May 25, 2006 11:40 AM
Andre Arthur appeared on CFRA's Lunch Bunch recently. IMO, his views as presented on certain current issues fit in with the CPC stance and he admitted to this when asked by hosts. However, he did say he hasn't been approached by the Conservatives and wouldn't say whether he would consider crossing over as he was enjoying his current learning curve (my words).
Posted by: MadMacs of Bytown at May 25, 2006 11:58 AM
Cheri what Aaron hasn't realised is that the opposite is true. We had 13 years of unpricipled theaving lying from the Liberals, aided and abetted by the village idiots party.
Posted by: Pissedoff at May 25, 2006 12:09 PM
PO'd; how ironic both Paul Martin and B.S. are bench mates in that "principled" opposition.
Posted by: Cheri at May 25, 2006 01:02 PM
"So Harper wasn't scary in oppososition Aaron? He was principled then?"
Cheri, can you explain this one? Scary?
"Cheri what Aaron hasn't realised is that the opposite is true. We had 13 years of unpricipled theaving lying from the Liberals, aided and abetted by the village idiots party."
Pissedoff, read a bit more carefully before you open your mouth. I'm not saying the Liberals weren't corrupt after 13 years. In fact I didn't even vote Liberal (or NDP) because I knew the Liberals needed to go. What I'm simply arguing is that power corrupts. Principles don't matter to politicians whose aim is to hold onto power. If the Conservatives had been in power for 13 years, I promise you I'd feel exactly the same way.
And no I won't apologize for "hiding in the shadows." Every government needs to be able to answer tough questions. Apparently this fact offends Harper (he muzzles his MPs, wages war with the press) which sounds kind of fascist to me. Even though you may support Harper, you have a duty as a citizen to be critical of your government.
Posted by: at May 28, 2006 07:43 AM
 
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