I’ve been criticized by other Conservative party members for speaking out about the Emerson and Fortier affair (not to mention other blunders). Some question my loyalty to the party; some claim that by questioning the actions of the party or the Leader that I’m somehow not a Conservative. One person even accused me of being a David Orchard supporter, of all things. Anyone within the party that knows me knows full well that I never supported Mr. Orchard. But I always supported Mr. Orchard’s right to speak out and organize.
What I am is a Canadian first, Conservative Party member second, which is as all members should be. Who should be surprised that there are differing voices within the party? I would worry more if there were none.
Political parties are not homogeneous pools of opinion – dissent within the party is important. In our history, dissent has played an important role in shaping this country. Dissent keeps us honest and on our toes. Dissent helps us all strive to do a little bit better, next time. Dissent is healthy.
Conservatives should not succumb to group think, and automatically and unquestioningly go along with what the leadership or cabinet says or does. Father does not always know best.
Conservatives should not assume that our party will always be on the correct side of an issue.
Conservatives ought not to believe that principle matters only when we are not in government, nor should we relax our ethical standards for the sake of expediency, by approving the wrong-headed notion that the end justifies the means.
Conservatives should not believe that criticizing the government of the day is a job only for the opposition.
Canadians want us to do better, but their expectations, however low, will not be easily met. We won’t do our jobs for the country if we passively sit by while bone-headed moves are made.
Conservatives should not forget the lessons learned during the long years we were out of power, or Canadians will ensure that we are put back out of power, soon enough.
Media Highlights for Friday February 24, 2006 â David Emerson
Updates to follow through the day
Feb 24 (Daniel Yeulett, Dundas Star News) Don’t take detour from democracy
The recent appointments of David Emerson and Michael Fortier to Cabinet remind me that the Conservatives are really not that much different than the Liberals. It is a political game they play that excludes the voter from his or her opinion.
Feb 24 (John Derringer, Toronto Sun) From The Hip
As I’d written many times in the last year, a huge number of Canadians were hesitant to vote for Stephen Harper because of a belief that politicians and their parties were, and are, “all the same.” David Emerson proves them right.
Feb 24 (Sandy Wiseman, Kamloops This Week) Reality can hit hard
The first person to be acting in a way some people didn’t think he would is new Prime Minister Stephen Harper. My heart goes out to former local Tory riding president Ted Joslin, who, at an age when most people are thinking rocking chair, is as keenly interested in his country and its future as any young Ottawa political junkie.
He has decided to leave the party he has supported since its inception because of the goings-on in Ottawa.
As a Liberal cabinet minister, David Emerson swore to uphold the policies of the government of the day, including all positions which cabinet supported or his cabinet colleagues put forth.
With that backdrop behind him, David Emerson was elected by the voters of Vancouver Kingsway. Emerson wasn’t elected as David Emerson, former CEO of Canfor; wasn’t elected as two-time deputy minister from the Bill Vander Zalm era; no, he was re-elected as a Liberal cabinet minister, only due to his affiliation with the Liberal party and his support for their policies.
Now, David Emerson has sworn to uphold the principles and policies of a Conservative government. Think about it. In some cases, radically different policies.
On January 23rd, voting day, Emerson still swore he’d defend programs like the national Childcare program. On January 24th, Emerson, in negotiations with Conservative campaign co-chair John Reynolds, was already trading away that promise, and many others, for a seat in cabinet.
Feb 24 (CBC News) Feds cancel day-care funding plan
The federal government has officially terminated a day-care funding agreement with the provinces.
Where is David Emerson’s support for the federal-provincial day care plan now?