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Dear Friends,
I have received many emails asking me to comment on floor crossing. Crossing from the government to the opposition can be an act of principle. However, crossing from the opposition to the government is almost always a cynical, opportunistic act of self-interest. I have spent nearly 40 years opposing the Liberal Party as an activist, candidate and elected Member of Parliament. There is no conceivable circumstance under which I would deny the opposition mandate into which I was elected to join the Liberals.
A strong, principled, constructive opposition is essential to a healthy democracy. Some believe current circumstances demand support for the government; to those I ask: Should any government—regardless of party—operate without opposition? Do governments pass better laws without scrutiny? Are governments more honest and transparent when unchallenged? Will conflicts of interest or corruption be rooted out without opposition? Does the government of the day face pressure to be better when there is a government in waiting on the other side of the floor?
I use Question Period, Member statements, my position on the Finance committee and all the opportunities I have to point out the decade of fiscal and economic mismanagement.
I will continue to fulfill the role for which I was elected: to oppose the government where necessary, improve legislation where possible, and advocate relentlessly for lower deficits, the repeal of anti-development laws, tax relief, stronger public safety, and better services for Canadians. |
