Garth Turner's Troubling news
While today we finally found out what Garth Turner's troubling news is. While it wasn't the bombshell I was hoping for on Harper having some scary Hidden Agenda, it does re-confirm some of my suspicions that Harper has little tolerance for dissent and he wants to rid the party of Red Tories. The fact no reason was given for his expulsion in the letter sent to him, the democratic will of his riding association was overriden and he is permanantely banned (at least as long as Harper is leader)from running under the Conservative banner, gives me a strong suspicion it was over his willingness to challenge the social conservatives and the leader. While the party has several social moderates, none of them have had the courage to call social conservatives what they are. I believe conservatives who care about the future of economic conservatism in Canada should take social conservatives head on with the same force they take on socialists. Having a different opinion on an issue is one thing, but believing in discrimination or less rights for those from other groups is not just a different opinion, it is clearly unacceptable for the 21st century. However, beyond this displays a disturbing pattern of the party meddling in riding associations who choose candidates that don't fall lockstep with the leader. In Tobique-Mactaquac, Adam Richardson who was the Canadian Alliance candidate in 2000, but switched to the PCs after Harpers' comment about Atlantic Canada being a culture of defeatism was denied from seeking the nomination with no explanation given. On the other hand Rob Anders was acclaimed and the nomination cancelled. I can only guess Harper doesn't want his ideological soulmates being challenged, while he wants to keep out those who are moderate and will speak out when the party drifts too far to the right. This is all speculation, but I have been seeing a very disturbing pattern. It was this type of attitude that convinced me I was no longer welcome in the Conservative tent whereas despite my disagreements with many Liberals on many policies, no one has questioned my commitment to Liberalism and no one has told me I am too right wing for the party. The only good news is hopefully Harper will be defeated in the next election and the next leader will be a moderate. This means that we as Canadians will actually have two good choices rather than several lousy ones.
posted by Monkey Loves to Fight at 4:46 PM
7 Comments:
I'm sorry Miles, but it's more than a little hypocritical to attack internal Tory procedures when you look back at all of the dirty tricks Martin & Co. pulled over the years.
The Martinista record makes Turner's list of supposed improprieties look rather insignificant in comparison.
And I'm sure you know full well that had Garth Turner been a Liberal, he would have been booted from caucus faster than your head could spin.
Actually Brandon I disagree. It is true the Martin crowd did use some dirty tricks at nomination meetings, but when it comes to caucus discipline, they were quite lax. In fact if anything Chretien was less tolerant of people breaking ranks than Martin was.
I may be wrong, but I believe he was booted because of his views. The fact the party refuses to say why he was booted gives me even further suspicions.
Martin never would have put up with a backbencher who routinely leaked caucus business and bashed him on a regular basis.
I can guarantee you of that.
Brandon I disagree here agree
1. There is no evidence Garth Turner was leaking confidential information. This is just the stated reason, but I have yet to see one thing on his blog that sounded like caucus confidential information.
2. Garth Turner bashed some of Harper's decisions, not him as PM. Martin allowed people to openly be critical of him on certain issues. That is why he didn't kick people like Tom Wappel or Pat O'Brien (who left on his own, despite Martin's pleas not to) out of caucus. Turner criticized Harper on the environment, Emerson's crossing, and his social conservatism, which are totally fair game. Even Chretien didn't throw people out who openly organized with Martin to push him out.
Miles,
Though I'm not a great admirer of Harper, I feel I have to defend him here. Harper has no intention of pushing the social conservative agenda if that works against his political interests. The man is deeply and possibly fatally flawed politically but he has at least one redeeming quality: that guy is one hell of a pragmatist. He is not wedded personally to the social conservative agenda. In short, when push comes to shove, Harper is perfectly capable of selling out the social conservatives if that is both politically expedient and in his personal best interests.
As a Red Tory, I can confirm that no one is trying to push us out of the party. Are other factions doing their damned best to isolate, alienate and ensure that our wing has as little power and influence as is possible. Sure. Those of us who choose to stay will live to fight another day! No one will show me the door. I'm playing the waiting game. Time is definitely on my side and I fully intend to reap the rewards that come with political patience.
The Wizard - certainly Harper is not as socially conservative as some of his fellow caucus members still from his past behaviour as well as his past speech to Civitas suggests that this might have been the reason. Also it was a caucus decision as well so it is possible it was the caucus who is mostly made up of social conservatives that pushed him out for that reason.
I also think it may have been Harper couldn't take frequent criticism from a fellow caucus member since Garth Turner was criticizing him quite frequently.
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