A reporter called me yesterday, asking questions about how muzzled I felt being a Harper MP. Actually, a few reporters have been on me, on the same theme. Events of the last few days have media guys more convinced than ever that the PM is a control freak. They’ve been led to believe Conservative MPs are being told to shut up or face dire consequences.
This follows on the heels of a strange press conference Tuesday morning when reporters felt they were snubbed by Stephen Harper, then a press release issued by the industry minister in which he completely disowned remarks he made the day before to a radio station. And today a CP story moved on the wire with a headline that read, “In Harper’s tightly scripted government, loose lips sink careers.â€
So, you might ask, what’s it like in the Tory gulag?
Well, as I have told reporters asking me just that, you are talking to the wrong guy. I have not been told to stick a sock in my pie hole since my infamous little war with the PMO that took place way back in February. And we won’t go over that again, will we? In fact, I have to say in fairness to my political leader that absolutely no pressure has been exerted on me since then to (a) stop writing this blog (b) not give speeches (c) clear my comments with anyone or (c) not to talk to the media.
I even met with the Stephen Harper’s top guys last week in Ottawa for a frank discussion, and they dared not hint that I change my brazen ways. More significantly, I have given “the centre†a heads-up on my new Internet Parliament Hill TV station set to launch the week of May 24th, and still no hint of attempted censorship.
This proves they have completely given up trying to control me, or that they understand free-wielding MPs who support their parties actually make that support stronger. After all, I’ve made it clear the PM has nothing that I want, and nothing that can be taken away (okay, okay, so I do have a nice office…).
This puts me in a different game than those other folks, like cabinet ministers, who – if any of this media is right – have to clear everything they say and write with the PMO cops. That’s understandable to me, since there is a price to pay for power and a limo. That’s the game, and I have played it myself. But not this time. And for that I am grateful.
Nothing has changed for me since the day I walked into the Tim Horton’s beside the truck stop on Trafalgar Road just south of the 401, and laid eyes on Esther for the first time. That day, actually, was a year ago next week. I was investigating seeking a nomination for the party in Halton, and Esther was connected. In that meeting I asked her to manage my nomination campaign (hotly contested with four candidates), and she agreed.
At that time I told her I wanted to be an MP again, and over the months that followed – hard-won nomination victory, then hard-fought endless campaign, then hard-gained electoral victory – I told her and anyone else who would listen that my highest ambition was to sit again in one of these green chairs in the House of Commons. I did not ask for a promotion, nor seek one, nor sulk when it did not come. I am a man satisfied with his position, fulfilled with the challenge before me and pretty juiced up about the potential to change things.
Man, my agenda is full. Digital democracy initiatives, the citizens’ legislative committee, my middle-class and family tax reforms, private member’s bills on things like floor-crossing, the MPTV webcasting studio and programming, the finance committee and just trying to be the best MP that ever was for Halton. And – I can report to you – in none of it have I been told to shut up.
Hey, and I am sure it is not just me. I’m sure that any Conservative MP who just wants to be the best MP ever in their riding, too, will be left alone to do so, as it right.
But for those with ambition, who want the responsibility, the warm car in winter and the beautiful young staffers to carry their binders, here’s some advice from a guy who’s been there: Suck it up.
8 comments ↓
Hi Garth, When you say that cabinet ministers want the warm car, does that imply that the cars are idling when they are not in them? Think of the money we would save and lessen the environmental impact by not doing this. Can’t the ministers drive themselves? Do we not elect MPS to be financially responsible? Seems like a big waste of money to have drivers being paid to wait around for cabinet ministers to be driven around.
Hi Garth, you didn’t post a column for last week; so I was wondering whether you expect to be writing one for this upcoming week?
Ahhh geez Garth, you had me through this piece until the last paragraph.
But for those with ambition, who want the responsibility, the warm car in winter and the beautiful young staffers to carry their binders, here’s some advice from a guy who’s been there: Suck it up.
Why did you write paragraph? Beautiful young staffers? The warm car? Are you implying that these cabinet MPs are not doing right by their constituents?
BTW: As you are a member on the federal government’s finance committee, will your weekly columns be considered in conflict? No one wants another “Ralph Goodale-Income Trust” scandal.
None of the sort, Catherine. It’s a simple equation – if you take the perqs and the power, you also take the discipline the PM requires. I am sure you would agree with that. And if an inability to speak out on the part of their constituents is also a consequence of position, well, they will have to wrestle with that. It’s an eternal issue for government ministers.
BTW: If I am in confliuct of interest, I will look to you to be the first to blow the whistle! — Garth
Mr. Turner:
I disagree with your report stating GST cuts are better than income tax cuts.
Cutting the GST expecting economic growth through spending assumes people have the disposable income in the first place. If we kept more of our own money to begin with then it becomes an option whether or not to be taxed whilst spending it. (Was this not a Conservative policy under Thatcher in the U.K?)
Constantly relating economics to housing is mis-leading do you really think someone putting themselves in debt to pay for a $650,000 house is bothered about a 0.9% break due to GST? A bank rate increase would wipe that out very quickly. Besides having just being saddled with a debt of whatever magnitude we are all heading to Future Shop to buy a $4000 plasma TV made overseas to boot, I think not. This would also seem to contradict your previous comments about us lot not investing in our old age enough, preferring to have equity in over-priced housing.
What happens to first time buyers? a 1% GST cut is neither here nor there and unless something is done the pack of cards could start to tumble. Why not give a real break for them and make interest tax deductible?
That would let the rest of us to do more with our money.
Cheers and have a nice day, Bill.
Garth, you are quite mean spirited – I simply asked you whether writing a column on finances would be considered a conflict of interest, as you may have confidential information sitting on the government’s finance committee.
For example – advising about personal financing (investments or mortgages), one may see that you know something that’s coming down the pipe.
Oh well, Garth, for someone who wants debates, you certainly don’t like anyone who may play a devil’s advocate and point an outsider’s view point. I thought debating was not throwing flowering comments at you and “adoring” every word you write or say.
Anyway – have a Happy Easter.
Adoration is good! Seriously, I know enough not to divulge any insider information that might come the way of a member of the federal finance committee, in the very unlikely event that might happen. — Garth
Oh, more thing, do ministers only have beautiful young staffers? Can they also have average old staffers
I have yet to meet one! — Garth
Hello Mr. Turner,
I am a 23 year old university student. I enjoy reading your articles. For me, at this point in time, I am in the process of accumulating as much knowledge as I can so that sometime in the future, I could make better decisions – in life and in business. So please continue the thing that you do so well – educate and enrich your readers with your valuable insight.
Thanks
Darran Bhuvi Thayaparan
I will miss your weekly columns.
Back to boring Mondays…