Emerson's switch ethical failure
An article in this morning’s Toronto Star highlights how one Conservative party supporter continues to react, even now eight weeks later, to Harper’s Emerson debacle:
Q: I’ve been a member of the new Conservative Party since its inception, and was a card-carrying Progressive Conservative long before that. During the last election, I campaigned hard for the party; I went door to door, and had many conversations with friends about how Conservatives would restore integrity to government. I’m old enough to remember Robert Stanfield, so I really believed that. Then came the David Emerson affair, and I felt betrayed.
I thought I’d get over it, but two months have passed, and I still feel disgusted. My colleagues in the party keep saying, “It’s just politics. Don’t get all worked up about it.” But I can’t swallow that. In fact, I’m planning to quit the party, and stay away from politics altogether. Am I wrong to feel this way?
A: You have lots of company.
No matter how you cut it, the whole Emerson affair stank, and it didn’t just smell bad, it really was ethically awful… if indeed they didn’t break any formal rules, all that proves is that the rules need changing. More >
Earlier today I happened to run into another Conservative – this person has put their career on the line for the party – who shares the opinion of the letter writer above. Come join me in protest, I said. Respectfully, the answer given was no.
I understand. Its hard for many in political life to speak out when ones political future hangs in the balance. Appointments, jobs, candidacies – much can hang in the balance when you stick your neck out. Unless there is safety in numbers, its hard, for many, to take that first step.
Clearly I’ve no expectation of a patronage appointment from this government.
But Conservatives don’t have to wait for party leaders to do the right thing. Where real impact can be manufactured and delivered – right away – is in and from the grass roots. Ordinary members of the party can exert their power, can influence our party leaders and this government and can keep the momentum of this fight for real democracy going.
Regular folks have real power. They can stop donating to the party – the lifeblood of the Conservative party treasury springs forth from a great many modest donations from ordinary party members. That stream can be slowed. Members can put pressure on their MP’s, for every MP starts out as a candidate which needs support at nomination and election time. Members can put pressure on their elected members, and on the leader’s office. They can phone and write party HQ, regional political officers, and members of National Council. Party members can make a difference – they can help by volunteering, donating, and otherwise supporting the De-Elect David Emerson Campaign.