Calling On Conservatives

Today we held a “Funeral For Democracy” where pall bearers lifted the coffin of democracy along Vancouver’s busy Kingsway corridor, solemnly marching to David Emerson’s constituency office.

On two or three different television networks I challenged other Conservatives to speak out, and specifically singled out Chuck Strahl—long time Reform / Canadian Alliance and now Conservative MP. I’ve always held Strahl in high respect, in part for his courage in forming the Democratic Representative Caucus (DRC) which split from the Canadian Alliance on matters of principle and leadership. It wasn’t all that long ago that commited democrats like Strahl and Deb Gray were sitting with the Progressive Conservatives in the House of Commons.

While the DRC worked with the PCPC a country-wide policy initiative was undertaken. A particular focal point of the regional policy conferences was the issue of Democratic Reform where ethics and accountability where hot topics as we sought ways to eliminate the so-called democratic defict. I’ll always remember Mr. Strahl’s support for such initiatives.

Its therefore surprising that Mr. Strahl this week broke his long silence on the David Emerson-Stephen Harper affair, meekly adding his support to the so-called pragmatists in our party that have chosen expediency over what is right.

Who knows if my demand will survive editing and make it to air, but I’ll repeat the essence of what I said here: Where are the Chuck Strahls and Deb Grays of yesteryear? Don’t tarnish your good name by supporting such bad decisions.

There are many passionate democrats in our party that are silent, but its not too late to speak out and join the citizens that are already way ahead of you. If you don’t, our party is going to be left behind.

Michael Watkins
A Vancouver Kingsway Conservative