So, the members of the Halton board arrived, found the kitchen and looked liked folks whose puppy had just died. It was obvious to me that all the media attention of the last few days had taken its toll, especially yesterday’s headlines that I was planning to quit the Conservative Party in protest for having been manhandled by the PMO.
For an hour tonight, we had a blunt and constructive conversation, with 17 of us around the table. I told them of the events in Ottawa, and filled in some gaps that only they should know – things that have not been in the newspapers, or TV, or here. We shared news and opinions like family, because I trust these people. I have to. They provided the broad shoulders upon which I stood to achieve my goal of being elected as the MP.
That, of course, is all forgotten when a member walks into a scrum in the Centre Block, or takes up his or her place in the caucus room. It’s not a factor when the MP makes headlines, becomes a hero, or crash-lands. Nobody thinks about the folks back home when the politician strides to his seat in the House of Commons or when she sits to command a committee table.
A shame, that. It’s not about the member. It’s about the team. That was my thought as I listened to the group tonight, talking about me, the prime minister, the PMO, caucus, cabinet, the week’s controversy, the party, the media and where to go from here. They are very responsible, very dedicated and loyal to Conservative principles, and drawn from all corners and walks of life. They were concerned about the fact this gathering was known to the media, and worried a little about coming out of it without a unified message.
At the end, they agreed one person should speak for the group, so that the message would be consistent, so that people would know they supported their member. Despite his predilection for trouble. Despite his refusal to be cowed last week in Ottawa. Despite all.
Of course, listening, it was not lost on me at all that what they were doing was providing me with a mirror of national caucus – a group of different individuals, all agreeing on basic points after sharing many divergent views, deciding to speak to the outside world with one voice. That way, they concluded, their message would be safely delivered. Without freelancing.
I reflected on that – how could I do otherwise? I was the prime minister in microcosm, and they were acting as one group to assist me. For this I was grateful indeed. And I am sure Stephen Harper – at the end of this challenging and surprising week – is reflecting as well on the group that he counts on, of which I am one. Have I done enough for him?
As I prepare now to immerse myself in the issues of Halton for a few weeks, especially to research and write the pre-budget report, I have to keep that question in mind. While many people posting comments here are convinced my statements have undermined the prime minister, I do not see it that way at all. Instead, looking at my volunteer supporters, I am reminded of what this party is about. What it should be about. What we oft forget. What power erases.
Conservatives are populists who believe in the validity and wisdom of the common person. We draw inspiration form icons like John Diefenbaker and Preston Manning. We have a tradition of grassroots protest and participation and look to the wisdom of the citizens around us for inspiration and direction. Conservatives are not elitists, and we disdain a political class of any kind. We would rather embrace a small-town lawyer from Nova Scotia than an academic from downtown Toronto. We have been the party of self-made people, not inherited wealth. Our leader is a hockey dad, who just defeated a shipping tycoon.
This past week, apparently, I reminded some people of those things, while I disgusted others. I spoke of the superiority of the voters to those unelected leaders of the party. I championed the right of an MP to speak up on any issue that a constituent would expect. And I vowed I would not say anything in Ottawa than I would not back home. However, in doing so, I also defied the wishes of those in our new government who wanted silence.
But did I do enough for the leader?
I tried. We need to remember why we were given the right to govern, and what people expect of us. We can’t forget leaders are only leaders because they have followers. Or, in the case of an MP, 17 unbelievably good people sitting at a kitchen table. Those people spoke in turn tonight, and they said the same thing. We promised voters here clear change, they said, including accountable, transparent, predictable, responsible government. And they supported their member’s brief attempts to embody that, as flawed as he may have been in them.
Of course, I told them in person I am not leaving the Conservative caucus. I will fight from within, speak out when it’s called for and do all I can to truly represent the people who gave me their authority to go to Ottawa. They applauded, and it was for all of us. We are Conservatives, long in opposition, newly in power, not knowing everything but being forced to deal with it all. We will get through this. We will prevail.
Tomorrow, by the way, I’m painting the constituency office. So much for capital glamour.
37 comments ↓
Lost in all this is a brand new PM that reached out to Liberals, Vancouver and Montreal, trying to give voice to all Canadians, not just Conservatives. With all my heart I believe he did so with good intentions, for a country that wants to see Parliament work. We all heard the criticisms. They are listed ad nauseum in every paper in the country and by voiced by breathless reporters and grinning pundits.
I’ve not been one of those that have been easy on you Garth. I think you too have the very best intentions though. I appreciate what you are writing these past two days, and I believe that the CTV story today after QP, and the Sun yesterday screwed you over.
To read Canoe tonight (Joan Bryden) it appears that the Liberals are salivating.
In the coming days, I hope the new Conservative government gets to work, works hard, governs well, and gives the Liberals lots of the time to really do the reflection that they really need to do.
Enjoy your painting! Hopefully that will keep you away from any microphones and won’t generate any more headlines as we saw today on Bourque (and even now it’s still there), causing yet more dissention and emboldening the Liberals, and leading them to tell Canadians that Conservatives cannot govern.
What colour? (lol)
Come and see. Lots of extra brushes. — Garth
Never voted conservative – probably never will. I voted NDP, but don’t worry, I’m not in your riding. That said I was hoping for something better when Mr. Harper took office , I was dissappointed that once in power the PM lost sight of the values he campaigned on. For an example of what sticking to your values means, look up the Johnson and Johnson & Johnson response to the Tylenol incident. http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/w/x/wxk116/tylenol/crisis.html here’s a link.
Continue to stand your ground and stick to your values, Mr. Turner, yourself and your constituents are the only people you need answer to.
You think highly of yourself Garth.You are not a microcosm of a PM but merely a cell in a healthy body. Understanding that your famous group of 17 would like one united voice to speak makes one wonder where in hell are you coming from. You have not only undermined your P.M. you have now undermined your own beloved constituents by losing the respect of all others in your party. Look at the big picture and ask yourself have I put my constituents in a better position in this last week by shooting my bigmouth off every chance I got? Now just think if 2 or 3 mp’s started to go against the grain or 20 or 30 what would you have fought for then? As I mentioned before you are merely a cell possibly cancerous and if that begins to spread where will your beloved constituents end up? Time for removal before it spreads!!!
Are you okay? — Garth
Some people haven’t moved on. It seems that it was Canadianna’s turn to take a bite out of you Garth.
Garth, you said it was over, but you were on Question Period today.
More blogs blathering on the very same subject that you said was finished – your point made. Why are you beating this thing to death?
“At the end, they agreed one person should speak for the group, so that the message would be consistent, so that people would know they supported their member.”
1 Person to speak for the group. Not 125 people running around with their opinion.
A consistent message? Come on Garth, give us a break.
Your message, your forced entry into the lime light was in support of your leader?
I think not.
“I was the prime minister in microcosm”
Laughable.
You speak of “populism” and “Preston Manning”?
Your words wreak of the stench of ambition – nothing less.
Of course you and I both know that you will have to wait (and hope) for a Harper failure in the next election. You constituents will get whatever other middleclass Canadians get – nothing more. And you know it.
You’ve been there Garth. You rattled the Bee Hive, and now the Hive is angry.
Thanks for the update on where you will be tomorrow – I’m sure the MSM will be there. Perhaps you can fit a Press Conference in while your decorating.
An articulate response. – Garth
I’m fine , the comments may be a bit strong but you get the drift. I could have used 1 rotten apple in the barrel.
I live in BC and have read your blog over the last few days and I have to tell you that I am quite disgusted with your thinly veiled attempt to hide the fact that your are filled with envy over not receiving a cabinet post within the Harper government.
Furthermore, I feel that very envy your are riddled with is the foundation of your moral outrage over the Emmerson and Fortier appointments.
You have tried to rationalize your actions by slight of hand via the key board and you know it. Your blog reeks of freudian slips.
When I read your last post ending with the fact that you were going to paint your constituency office, while making a point of how you have no problem with such a menial tasks I had had enough.
You sir are only one of many who worked tirelessly to get the Conservative party in Government. Many of whom I consider unsung heros who are not bellowing from the roof tops of their importance or bragging about their lowly positions within the party as you have.
With all my heart, soul mind and strength I never ever want to see the likes of Paul Martin and his bunch in power again. But they are waiting with bated breath for their chance to pownce. Even with knowing this fact, you have behaved foolishly with your public outbursts.
If you feel so strongly, please put in your resignation otherwise please use some common sense when you are in disagreement with the party with which you are a member of. Because the reality is your actions of late have undermind the work of countless citizens from accross this country who are as I stated above the true unsung heros.
Garth I would question the fact had there been implementation of MP’s not crossing the floor 5 years ago where would the Reform, Alliance and Conservatives be today? I don’t think there would have been as much debate/controversy if it would have been a Liberal or NDP crossing Jan. 24th either.
” I spoke of the superiority of the voters to those unelected leaders of the party.”
Garth, with all due respect, what the hell are you talking about?
Stephen Harper was duly elected as the Leader of the Conservative Party. In a direct, one member-one vote process (with equal weighting per riding).
I remember because I voted for him. Just like 64% of the members in your own riding.
You can see the stats for yourself right here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Party_of_Canada_leadership_election%2C_2004#Ontario
And the events of this week notwithstanding, I’m damn proud of that fact.
http://canadianna.blogspot.com/2006/02/st-garth-patron-saint-of-petulant-and.html
Are you going to allow the link above in this post to ride in the name of “democrasy”, I wonder?
The Truth? To be or not to be.
Mr. Turner, with all due respect, have some respect for your leader, who has done nothing that has not been done since Canada has become a Nation. My feeling is that you need a lesson in empathy and humility. If you can’t or won’t stand with your leader,(you did run as a Conservative didn’t you) then cross the floor and become an Independent. Oh yeah, if you go the Independent route, I guess you will be announcing a Bye Election right??
Emerson and Fortier may or may not be Conservatives however I am putting my faith in Harper’s wisdom then your theatrics.
Garth Turner: Rebel Without a Clause
Changeons pour vrai … yeah right!
Been an admirer of yours for many, many years, Mr. Turner and was close to buying in to your party. Yet now all I see coming from your leader is hypocrisy.
From my perspective, Emerson’s crossing (V-K obviously did not want a Conservative), Fortier’s appointment (curious … Chrétien never appointed anyone to the Senate and Harper has?) and now the quelling of MP’s voices (what will happen to the promise of free votes in the commons?) has really turned a lot of Canadians off simply because Mr. Harper somehow managed to portray the Conservatives as being more “honest” or having more integrity or something. Your leader’s decisions in his first week are symbolic and highly arrogant (as if he knows better than several thousand people in V-K) and not very surprising, frankly, while your decisions to speak out are courageous and refreshing.
While I am not in your riding, I do support you and wish you all the best in what will most likely be a short stint in power.
I see you have moved on….to more of the same
Despite his refusal to be cowed last week in Ottawa.
Give me a break.
The only person Garth Turner cares about is Garth Turner. Period.
If this issue is “over” as you say, STOP GIVING INTERVIEWS ON QUESTION PERIOD ABOUT IT.
With all my heart, soul mind and strength I never ever want to see the likes of Paul Martin and his bunch in power again.
Dear Carol and Brandon,
You just don’t get it. We all want the Conservatives to get a majority in the next election. The problem here is that Mr. Harper’s very first act after being sworn in is something that we would expect the LIberals to do. It is exactly opposite of what we expected.
The criticism by Conservatives of the Stronach/Brison floor-crossing, the longstanding stand against an un-elected Senate don’t count for anything the day after an election that finally gives us a chance to rebuild the Conservative brand?
Garth campaigned for 8 months to win our riding. He was out pounding the pavement night after night working to convert voters one at a time. He has been honorable and straightforward from the first day he won the nomination last spring.
We will not win a majority in the next election if Harper believes that he can act with the same kind of impunity as the Liberals do. He must be held to a higher standard or our tenure as the government will be shortlived.
Garth convinced enough people in our riding that Conservatives would be better and managed to squeak out a victory in an area where Conservatives in general, and Harper in particular is not very popular. It is his hard work that one the riding for the Conservatives.
In his first day on the job, Mr. Harper has managed to destroy the crediblity that Garth worked so hard to create.
Garth has 100% of my support; he is doing exactly what I expected of him when I cast my vote for him. I am a lifelong Conservative, and I am extremely proud of my MP and what he is doing.
don’t paint your office blue, just in case…
Oh My gosh, Garth!
I just read your column regarding your meeting with teh board. At last, as politician who I can convince my thirty-year-old daughter is an honourable, transparent and representing his constituents. She didn’t vote in her riding in Peterborough because she felt there are no honest politicians. What a sad commentary for a well-educated, vibrant member of society! I will forward your comments in the column to her. Thank you.
Hon. Garth Turner,
Remember your own words in your past blog entries, and reflect on the hypocrisy of your current actions.
I reiterate once again, move on with meat and potatoes stuff for ordinary Canadians and no more of all these Garth is pious stuff that continually creeps out of nowhere from your interviews with media and your daily blogs … MOVE ON TO THAT WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR CANADA !!!
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2005/08/27/no-rules/
“Not much media, though, and I wondered who’d been in charge of that. One reporter tried very hard to get me on tape questioning Harper’s ability to woo and smooze voters, asking if anyone had been thinking about challenging him before the next election. It was typical media tactics and it made me think of a comment Brian Mulroney said one day. The Tories were about to bring in the GST. The country was in media chaos. Protests were everywhere. The polls were a disaster.
Mulroney stood erect and impeccable at the podium in the caucus room. Outside, just beyond the double doors that sound-roofed the room, a phalanx of media waited, convinced some MPs would buckle under all the pressure, walk up to the forest of microphones, criticize their besieged leader and open the floodgates of party dissention. Just what any good reporter would want, of course. Blood.
And Mulroney said: “If you want to be a media hero, just walk out those doors right now, go down the hall and do it. I guarantee you’ll be on the front page of every newspaper tomorrow and the lead item on the CBC tonight. Go ahead. I’ll still be here. But if you want to be a hero for Canada, then you will stand by me.†He stared into the eyes of everyone in that room. Anyone who harboured the remotest thought of mutiny felt it evaporate under his gaze. Leadership.
Being a media hero is easy, fun and has instant rewards, I thought. Belinda Stronach. Carolyn Parrish. Scott Brison. Getting on the front page of the Globe and Mail and the National Post is a breeze. Just say what they want.
Of course, I told the reporter Harper is our leader. We have only one leader at a time. The leader leads – it’s his job. A candidate’s highest job is to get elected. Unhappy, the scribe wandered away, looking for other prey.
Yes, and Harper spoke well. The crowd ate it up. Afterwards, a long line of people formed to meet him, shake his hand. He flipped burgers for the photographers, smiled into hundreds of faces, answered every question, while looking comfortable and relaxed – unlike a man who had done early morning live radio in Toronto, visited the CNE for a photo op and done a dozen other things most people never will in a lifetime, let alone a day. The price of leadership.”
Ron: I defy anyone to read my very words that you have quoted and say Garth Turner does not support Stephen Harper. Who’s the hypocrite, my Conservative friend? — Garth
Garth keep on doing what you think is right for your constituents. They are your first concern. As for the rest of you narrow minded so called loayal Conservatives. Get used to it, this is the digital age and you can’t hide the peoples right to know and the truth. All the childish negative posts on here prove that.
We didn’t elect a conservative government to just see the same old games played. When someone crosses the floor it should require a by-election. At least half of a person’s vote for a candidate is for the party they represent.
We do not want the same old , that is why the conservatives were elected.
There may be strategies behind appointing Mr Emerson (even to the point where him leaving politics is still a conservative victory),however, it is still wrong for an elected politician to switch parties without a by-election. People could switch back and forth all day long, bumping into one another on the floor, making our democracy look like a joke.
Garth,
I support the stand you took. The Mr. Harper did the wrong thing for some good reasons. You called him on it and I’m glad you did.
I’m also very relieved to hear you’re not leaving caucus. I am still very hopeful about what our new government can do. I expect you to support it as best you can.
Ed,
Perhaps you missed my comments from an earlier post. I’ve said more than once that I don’t fault Garth for opposing the appointments or speaking his mind.
As I said before, Myron Thompson spoke his mind. But he didn’t grandstand either. He didn’t break caucus confidences or try to paint himself as a martyr to the big-bad Prime Minister.
And, you may not have noticed that I also said that the bulk of the blame for the events of this week rests on PM Harper’s shoulders. So no, I haven’t let Harper off the hook on this.
But I do genuinely feel that the way Garth has handled this has served to divide the Conservatives and embolden the Liberals. You may disagree, but that’s my honestly expressed opinion.
I’m all for defending principle. But past experience shows that Conservatives need to learn to excersize some measure of discipline and discretion while doing it. The Liberals haven’t been the dominant party in this country for nothing.
In large measure it’s because we’ve spent the past 100+ years constantly shooting ourselves in the foot. And that’s exactly what both the PM and Garth have done this week, in my own humble opinion.
Brandon,
I disagree with you that Garth has any responsibility for the events of the past week. This is solely Harper’s doing.
Conservatives complained about the trained seals of the Liberal backbench. If Harper gets smacked upside the head on this issue, perhaps he won’t do it again. Perhaps if 30 or 40 or 50 of the new members came out and said this was wrong, it would have been reversed, and a promise made not to go down the Liberal path again then this would be over and done with.
What Harper did was an outrageous start to his tenure and flies in the face of what we exepected.
Yes Ed, I do get it.
I am not pleased with the events of late. And I do believe that Canadians are desirous to have a government that is principled and will strive to do what they said they would do.
Having said that, I do not think Harpers intentions were to blatantly ignore the principles his party ran on. I believe Harpers choices in Emmerson and Fortier were made in light of the lack of representation from Vancouver and Montreal. I think he took into consideration the fact that the Conservatives won a slim minority of the seats and he had to consider regional representation. I do not think that Harpers intentions were anything but that. He also wanted to bring experience to the table.
Am I excusing his choice to appointment these two men, no. I am just saying I think this is why he did it and that there was no grand conspiracy behind it or a flagrant tossing away of any guiding principles on his part.
As far as my previous post goes. Garth is entitled to his opinions (which are vast) but he must remember that he is part of government now and his broadcasting hat must be put on the shelf while he is part of that government. He has a responsibility to apply discretion in his role as MP.
Sure he went out and tirelessly door knocked through your riding etc etc etc. But that is what every politician does in every riding accross the country has done.
Take Steven Fletcher for example. Now that’s what I call tireless door knocking and I haven’t heard him bellow about it from the rafters.
So Garth put himself out there for issues he cares about, but so have many others. Their are myriads of people, behind the seens that never seek the spotlight or to blow their own horn continuously.
If you think what Harper did only served to weaken the Conservative message. I can say the same about Garth as well.
Garths moral indigation was accompanied by more than just a few smatterings of comments about those who love the spotlight and the limos etc. Because of this a reader of his blog could only draw one conclusion from what he was railing on about and that was that he felt snubbed by Harper for a cabinet appointment.
If it wasn’t complete envy on his part that seemed to drip from each strung together sentence in his blog, then maybe he should be a little more careful with his descriptive writing style.
Very well written, Carol. And I couldn’t care less about cabinet (as I wrote here long before the announcement was made). If you think that motivates me, you know nothing.– Garth
I see some people leaving comments to the effect that Stephen Harper is doing us all a favour by bringing a former Liberal and a Montreal-area representative into cabinet. Give me a break! Talk about spinning the unspinnable. You people whined about it when Belinda did it, but now you find a reason to make it okay when it goes in reverse. Look, I’m a Liberal. And I hated it when Belinda crossed the floor, and I hate it now. At least I have the bipartisan ability to be consistent. I bet if Adscam happened during a Conservative government, you’d find ways of spinning that to be a good thing too. At least be honest – with yourselves, if not us.
Not at all Van On. Floor crossing is something that should never be treated lightly and should always be scrutinized. However, the media frenzy which we have seen, is just over the top. I watched Jane Taber from CTV, say “it’s getting delicous”. The media loves to make their own news stories. And of course the sheep couldn’t be bothered to do their own homework (investigation) – so they quote “The G&M said this”, “the Toronto Star is reporting that”, and from CTV “and this MP didn’t come and talked to us”, and so on. But, when one examines what is being said or reported, it usually is some commentator’s own interpretation and not all facts are reported.
Also, most of the local outcry we saw last weekend was NDP orchestrated “public meetings”.
The NDP in the last parliament, had a mantra “we want parliament to work”. Our new Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, did say that he wanted parliament to work as well and acknowledged that he was given a small minority government. So our Prime Minister examined the situation, and wanted to represent ALL of Canada – trying to be non-partisan. He did this at great political risk. He could have chosen an easier solution – however, probably not the best for BC and Canada. That is why I truly believe that Stephen Harper is an intelligent and thoughful leader – someone who will try to govern for all of Canada and not just those who supported him. A Leader who doesn’t crave the limelight, but gives thought to his decisions. Signs of a strong leader! Let’s give him a chance to prove it without always knee jerk reacting to every “news” item that the media throws out!
Maybe Ian Waddel and Jack Layton should try to be less partisan and actually show that they want this parliament to work!
BTW: Vancouver Kingway riding had only 58% turnout (according to Election Canada). So much for this massive outcry of democratic stealing, when the folks from Vancouver Kingway could not even get off their butts and spend 15 minutes of their time to vote!
“Ron: I defy anyone to read my very words that you have quoted and say Garth Turner does not support Stephen Harper. Who’s the hypocrite, my Conservative friend? — Garth ”
Did I say “You declared that you do not support PM Stephen Harper?” anywhere in my comments? Sir, I do not question whether you support Hon. Stephen Harper or not, I merely called you for your “hypocritical” actions. In your past blog entry, you clearly implied in a way that “these things occur because leaders should be given the opportunity to lead” and you somehow provided the impression that it is also your place (and mine as a law abiding common citizen Conservative) to follow (though not etirely blindly), not to publicly question and undermine the leaders’ decisions to lead and govern, at every opportunity. This was one of those opportunity and moment. Comfortable with it, of course I am NOT. Do I want this of my party and leader? NEVER . But I chose to voice my displeasure quietly and only after I saw that you are parodying this for the benefit of Hon. GARTH after a seemingly endless appearances in TV, radio and print media during the past few days. Hon. Myron Thompson was also quoted once about the same thing. What did he implied unequivocally at the next turn: “that even displeased as he maybe, he remained to trust PM Stephen Harper’s decision”. Why you may ask, because he is the CPC’s duly elected LEADER, and now the duly elected Prime Minister of this country. Couldn’t you have voiced your “discontent and displeasure” in a way that you would not have displayed your ambition ?
I remain to respect you for your principles and stance but not for the way you continued to propagate the same.
I praise your decision to turn the leaf, move on, and start the arduous task of governing. This, my honored Conservative friend, I view more important than the contemplation between pragmatism and idealism.
Garth, your response to Ron @ 10:04 was inconsistent with the quote. Completely inconsistent. Particularly with this part:
“And Mulroney said: “If you want to be a media hero, just walk out those doors right now, go down the hall and do it. I guarantee you’ll be on the front page of every newspaper tomorrow and the lead item on the CBC tonight. Go ahead. I’ll still be here. But if you want to be a hero for Canada, then you will stand by me.†He stared into the eyes of everyone in that room. Anyone who harboured the remotest thought of mutiny felt it evaporate under his gaze. Leadership.”
So a microphone is pushed in front of your face, and what did you do, Garth? Myron disagreed, once, yet affirmed his faith in Harper’s judgement & leadership.
I’ve lost track of the number of interviews you’ve done. After saying “it’s time to move on” you found time for what, another 4 or 5?
I am very glad you are not my MP.
You are, of course, quoting out of context. My conviction that every member of the government should be elected by the people, is just an opinion. The party leadership could have chosen to ignore me, in which case nobody would care what I think. They chose otherwise. — Garth
The NDP thinks it can take that seat. It isn’t out of principle. I learnt the joyous world of floor crossing in 1969 in Manitoba where Ed Shreyer’s first government survived thanks to Liberal MLA Larry Desjardin crossing the floor and ending up in cabinet. In Saskatchewan, NDP Roy Romanow’s last government needed two Liberals crossing the floor.
Thank godness that Mr Harper doesn’t
waste his time with the week to week micro analysis and media BS. He is busy preparing to govern and win a majority next time.
Garth I hope your sitting down, Andrew Coyne’s website is suggesting there are 12-14 Liberals rumoured to be crossing to your party!!
Now your gonna really be busy!!!
Actually, Garth, I would argue that YOU are taking it out of context. You stated, quite clearly, that supporting your leader *publicly* on a CRUCIAL issue was paramount, and you accepted that, when it was Mulroney and something you could apparently, publicly, live with.
Fast forward how ever many years. PM Stephen Harper does something you don’t agree with. And you chose to *publicly* not do support either him or the party. Repeatedly. Ad nauseum.
You are a media hog. Pure & simple. And have lost all credibility with me.
Which is why it’s a good thing for both of us that I’m really glad you’re not my MP.
So – let’s part on good terms. Because my opinion has little to no effect on your chances of re-election. But your behavior has HUGE implications on my gov’t of choice winning the next election, especially if it’s called on terms other than the CPCs.
Oh. Wait a minute. We’re not exactly on an equal footing here, are we.
hmmmm
Garth:
You’re quite the phenom in the media these days. In fact, if it weren’t for the fact that the media qualifies your name with the word “Conservative” (for extra damaging effect, I might add) your comments and tone would be right at home in the mouth of the enemy.
You can spout off about being down with Harper and the Conservatives, but you are effectively not on our benches anymore. It’s one thing to be critical in private, or send veiled signals through the media of your unhappiness to the party leadership, but to be leader of a public one-man mutiny while proclaiming loyalty is ridiculous.
In fact, the last time someone was so damaging from within the party was right before she took her sorry self to the Liberal bench- Belinda Stronach: the go-to girl for “Conservative” civil war quotes.
Just go ahead and change sides, but just make sure to hold your precious byelection. In fact, in keeping with your “principles” you should probably hold one right now since your constituents voted for a “Conservative” and not an in-house enemy.
Its official. Its no longer “THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, it’s THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARTH 2006.
Interesting I was looking for some answer and you gave them to me http://pissedguys.servik.com