New Canadian Conservative party loses 3 MP's on first day. More to come?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031208.wbach1208/BNStory/National/

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/12/08/tories031208

Former Canadian PM and PC Party Leader has left the Canadian Conservative Party, alongside New Brunswick MP John Herron and Quebec MP Andre Bachand. Clark, a moderate centrist is concerned by the neo-conservative direction of the new party, and will sit as an Independent Progressive Conservative, as will Herron. Bachand is likely to join the ruling Liberals.
At least three other former PC MP's are also likely to leave the party, should it prove too right-wing. Nova Scotia's Scott Brison, Manitoba's Rick Borotsik and Newfoundland's Rex Barnes. MP Elsie Wayne is also reported to have doubts. The PC party went into the merger with 15 seats, as opposed to the neo-conservative Canadian Alliance's 63.

I disagree with Joe Clark on many things, but I feel for him right now, this reasonable man who has seen his party stolen from him by radical social conservatives.

[Tyler Durden]

1. Just shows the rising intelligence North of the US border.

I wouldn't feel sorry for Joe. He and Mike Harris tried to turn your country from the model social democracy it had become into the 51st State.

Call it Schadenfreude if you want, but I love watched the rapid decline and fall of arch conservatism in Canada.

[Maple]

2. Um

Mike Harris is a neo-con.

Joe Clark is a red Tory.

2 very different directions and goals.

[Tyler Durden]

3. I have to figure that...

ANY party that would admit and support Mike Harris is rotten at the core.

Joe didn't oppose Mike gutting your healthcare in Ontario to make tax cuts for rich people: if you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. Chinese Walls - Federal and Provincial parties do not totally relate

[Tyler Durden]

Maybe I'm being a little hard on Joe Clark...

But would like Mikey or his buddies back? I don't remember Joe Clark telling him NOT to do any of the whacko stuff he was up to.

[Sticky]

6. Yesterday on Newsworld call-in program

most of the callers mocked and/or criticized the new party. I think the topic was "Who should lead the new party".....one caller mentioned the best person would be Brian Muroney just so Canadians could have the pleasure of decimating the party all over again.

I cannot see a scenario that would make this party successful.

[Maple]

8. Well Harris

actually increased health care funding, but at the time Joe was in no position to object to anything.

[Melsky]

5. Does this help or hurt the more liberal parties?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

7. It just proves our belief that this new party is doomed at birth.

[Bush loves Jiang]

11. Hmmm...

Does it help the Liberals?

Definitely, though Martin is actually right of Clark, so they're not so liberal anymore.

Does it help the NDP?

I can't answer that. Too many factors are in play that will influence how much the NDP gains next election to even try to guess.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

12. Look to the NDP to take at least 4 or 5 seats from the right in the west

Starting with Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre, home of the bigot Larry Spencer, who has a 150 or so majority over the ND's. With the NDP polling at least 5 or 6 points above Election 2000 results, there's going to be some changes made in the West.

[Spazito]

9. The two "leaders" looked like babbling idiots on the news...

The reporter asked who would speak for the new party and both leaders tried to out-speak each other, it was a hoot. The way it has been carried on the news has been to refer to it as a marriage in a joking matter.

When these two parties try to establish a single policy, just watch the fireworks and the defections. I have little doubt Paul Martin is sitting back with a very satisfied grin right about now!

[pink_poodle]

10. I do feel for Joe Clark because basically he is a pretty .............

good guy with good ideas - it's just the people he represents and their ideas that are rotten. He is backed by the scum.

Otherwise I am making merry at the thought of the conservatives being in such a muddle. It is to be expected and enjoyed.

snicker.