Parliament opens, what have parties had to say?
Lets take an alphabetical look at the four major parties and what they’ve said on David Emerson.
Conservative Party: Officially – all for it. Emerson himself? He’s said he’s sorry some people are miffed, but tough luck, because he really doesn’t care.
The Green Party web site contains a couple of releases on the issue, including Lower Mainland Green Party Candidates Insist Emerson Resign and Emerson scandal points towards electoral reform.
Somewhat ironically, on their site is a link to a piece by Rafe Mair entitled Don’t Call My Vote ‘Wasted’, where he justifies his vote for the Green Party because “they have principles”. Apparently principles only go so far in Mair’s books, as he has been distinctly uncomfortable in fully criticizing what Emerson has done. One can appreciate Emerson for his abilities and accomplishments – if that stuff turns your crank – and still hold him to account for working against democracy. Mair seems unable to do that, but that’s his opinion, not the Green Party’s I’m sure.
Liberal Party: Liberals also chose to highlight the undemocratic actions of Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper and the illegitimate David Emerson:
As Parliament resumes today for the 2006 Spring Session, Prime Minister Harper’s government prepares to face its peers in the House of Commons, with the exception of two key members of the Conservative cabinet who remain unaccountable – Minister of International Trade David Emerson and Minister of Public Works Michael Fortier.
Minister Emerson continues to hide from the people who elected him to Parliament. Nearly two months after crossing the floor to the Conservatives’ cabinet table, voters in Vancouver-Kingsway are still protesting his defection. Over 500 people marched through the streets of Vancouver on Sunday, demanding that Mr. Emerson resign and face his constituents in a by-election. More >
The Liberal Party web site contains a number of references to the Emerson Affair in its press release and news sections, including such gems as Emerson Spends Taxpayer Money to Avoid National Media and David Emerson’s Party – In his Own Words, where Emerson warns Canadians against voting for the party that he was in secret negotiations to join, less than 24 hours after last election’s ballots were counted.
New Democratic Party: Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, mentions our errant member of parliament in his recent speech made on the occasion of the re-opening of parliament:
What can we say about the Conservative time in office so far? Nothing much, actually. New governments traditionally get a honeymoon with the public, if only because ministers are too busy learning their files to implement many controversial decisions. So it is with Harper’s lean cabinet. The surprise appointment of David Emerson was a nine-day wonder in the media, although it must be said that the anger will last much longer in the turncoat minister’s Vancouver riding.
The NDP have a section on their web site dedicated to the floor crossing issue.
Only the NDP and Green Party appear interested in serious democratic reforms designed to give more power to the Canadian Public via proportional representation. The NDP stands behind specific legislation that would prohibit floor crossing (by requiring a by-election) – its not clear what the stand of the Liberal Party or the Greens are on that specific issue. Feel free to enlighten me at info at realdemocracy.ca.