CPC MP Garth Turner slamming Harper on blog

[Minstrel Boy]

I couldn't bear this guy when he was a Mulroney Minister, but now he's been returned as a backbencher he seems to be acting in a genuinely admirable manner. It'll be interesting to follow his blog. Read what he posted last night:

Speaking of offices, after today I’m expecting the Whip will be assigning me a renovated washroom somewhere in a forgotten corner of a vermin-infested dank basement in Ottawa. That should go well with my seat in the House of Commons that will be visible only during lunar eclipses.

Uh-huh. That kind of a day. This one MP came face-to-face with the party machine in a series of unhappy meetings including one tonight with the prime minister. I think it is now safe to say my career options within the Conservative caucus are seriously limited. If you would like a course on how not to be popular in Ottawa, then take a seat.

...

But, I arrived as the prime minister was appointing a floor-crossing Liberal and an unelected party official to his cabinet, which seemed to fly in the face of everything I had told voters about accountability and democracy. It also made me question the whole process, after eight months of knocking on doors to win my coveted seat in this magnificent stone building on the banks of the Rideau.

...


Did I know the potential consequences of speaking my mind, or sticking with the principles that brought me to this cold hill? Yeah, I did. I have been an MP before, and a leadership candidate and a cabinet minister. I have the hide to prove it. I know the PMO has a song sheet it wants all caucus members to sing from, and I know what happens when an individual chooses to go his or her own way. I was just hoping this time I would not be asked to choose – between party and principle.

[Manix]

1. I have a feeling he is the first of many who will be jumping

off of Harper's soon to be sinking ship.

[Hand]

2. Meh. He's PO'd because he was passed over.

There's probably a lot like him. No doubt Peter ("Pond Scum") McKay is cultivating their friendship even as we type. And sharpening the long knives. :evilgrin:

[Logiola]

3. canoe has an article about this..

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2006/02/10/1435777-cp.html

[Wabbajack]

4. The optimist in me says

you guys better prepare for another election in a few months.

[daleo]

5. It's OK, his spasm of democratic integrity seems to be over

"Anyway, I have made my point and it’s time to move on. I’m just one MP and I won’t change the system. My job is not to tilt at the windmills sprouting up all around this town, but to represent the people who sent me here. Funny, it all seemed so simple driving up on Monday morning…

David Emerson has his own decisions to make, so does Stephen Harper, so do I. So, back to the business of being positive."

From his entry for today.

[Minstrel Boy]

6. that's a relief

It feels much better to hold him in contempt.