Turner: To sit as a Liberal? Maybe . . .
With news that Garth Turner may come across the floor to sit as a Liberal, it has certainly made me ecstatic. I first came across Garth Turner back in August, when he disagreed with the Prime Minister on reintroducing the vote on Same-Sex Marriage.
The Conservative caucus expelled Garth Turner for ‘breaching caucus confidentiality’ on his blog where Garth continues to deny the allegations sent out against him; I believe Prime Minister Harper wanted a pure conservative right winger to represent the Halton constituency. The Prime Minister likes to play dirty politics, there is no doubt and the last two election campaigns are my proof.
I welcome Garth with open arms, however there is still the possibility that he may sit as the Green MP. To my Conservative friends; can we consider this a trade? You got Khan, we get Turner?
UPDATE: Garth Turner has crossed the floor to sit as a Liberal. Garth thanked Dion by saying, “welcoming me, even knowing that I’m a pain.” Welcome to the party, Garth!
“The Liberal party is as close to my PC roots as I’m going to get,” Garth stated in a press conference with Stéphane Dion, “The progressive part of the Conservative party is gone.” A lot of Progressive Conservatives came to the Liberal Party after Peter MacKay sold the party’s mojo (or soul) to the Canadian Alliance to form the Conservative Party of Canada.
UPDATE #2: I discovered this video done by Garth Turner and he explains in-depth of why he came to the Liberals. I thought I’d share it with you.
February 6th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
I think it was not only Turner’s moderate policies that made him an enemy of Harper, but the fact he was willing to take on the more right wing elements. If he were a moderate but just went along with the more right wing elements, I think Harper would have left him alone. Still I am glad he took them on. As a former Progressive Conservative myself, I believe right wing ideologues need to be challenged like never before by all Canadians including right leaning ones. Much like socialism, neo-conservatism is a scourage, but unlike the socialists they actually have a chance at forming government.
February 7th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Miles,
There could have been many reasons behind Stephen Harper’s hate for Mr. Turner. However it is great to have Garth on the team. I hope for him to make a trip out this way in the upcoming months.