I’ve made it clear in the past that I certainly don’t have much time for Garth “It’s tough to live off a six figure salary” Turner. I think Harper made the right choice to dump him from caucus, and I don’t think the Liberals are any better off with him.
However, Garth’s extended walk across the isle does raise the question about floor crossing in our parliamentary system. Here’s how I feel about it:
Everybody who makes up the government should be elected. They should sit in Parliament as they were elected. If they decide to change parties, they should go and get re-elected. To do otherwise is to place politicians above the people when, actually, itÂs the other way around. After stating many a time that Belinda Stronach should have sought a by-election after her defection, how could I not say the same obvious thing now? End of story.
I think the problem is that Parliament is dominated by party machines who, during elections, pound each other to a pulp, telling Canadians they have totally different visions for the country. But once the voting is done, itÂs all about power and position.
Feeling cynical? Man, you have cause.
UPDATES:
1. Repo Creepo had this story back in January.
2. Garth polled his constituents back in October on what he should do. The results?
(1) Resign your seat – zero
(2) Negotiate back into caucus – 17
(3) Join the Liberals – zero
(4) Go Green – 17
(5) Stay independent – 31
(h/t Stephen Taylor)
3. Either Elizabeth May has the driest wit of any Canadian politician for she’s smoking something:
“I think it’s a good choice for Garth. As an independent, he’s been making some good contributions to parliamentary discourse and debate and conducting himself in a way that I think is admirable,” Ms. May told CBC TV.
“He had his time to think over what his constituents wanted him to do. This must be the message he got from his constituents.”
But given Mr. Turner’s turbulent year, she hasn’t ruled him out of Green contention.
“He remains welcome to join the Green Party of Canada should Mr. Dion throw him out of caucus,” Ms. May said.
I guess it’s refreshing to see honesty from politicians but I’m not sure if Ms. May should go around saying that:
a) Picking the Liberals over the Greens is the right choice
b) They’ll take anyone in their party