I must say, I’m very curious what the following Conservatives have to say about David Emerson’s defection today:
James Moore:
“I think it shows there are two kinds of people in public life — people with principle and people like Belinda Stronach,”
Pierre Poilievre:
“It has everything to do with the fact she was offered a plum job and Paul Martin is offering every bribe he can to cling on to power,”
Tony Abbott:
“To me, what it is, it’s a little rich girl basically whoring herself out to the Liberals,”
Bob Runciman:
“I think she sort of defined herself as something of a dipstick — an attractive one, but still a dipstick — with what she’s done here today,”
Dave Hancock:
“It’s appalling,”
Bernard Lord:
“This is just another action, another moment, that breeds cynicism of electors,”
UPDATE: Ahab’s Whale has this gem from Emerson, on election night:
“I’m going to be Stephen Harper’s worst enemy,” he warned. “We’re going to stir the pot and you better believe we are going to make a heck of a lot of noise.”
Well, he’s certainly stirring the pot and making noise. And, considering the optics around this, his prophecy about being “Harper’s worst enemy” may not be too far off the mark.
UPDATE Deux: Curious to see what our new Immigration Ministers has to say now.
UPDATE Trois: More from Poilievre:
Private Members Business – November 21, 2005: Bill C-251, Members of Parliament who Cross the FloorMr. Pierre Poilievre (Nepean⿿Carleton, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today in support of a bill that I believe would restore some accountability around this place. I thank the hon. member across the way for having raised it. When members of the House crosses the floor, I believe they break a contract, not with their political party but with their constituents.
When a member of Parliament is elected to this place, he or she is elected with a party label, having made a commitment to serve with party’s label attached to his or her name. Members of the public make their voting decision based on that commitment. Therefore, a contract is formed between the constituent and the member of Parliament.
And, of course, there’s Harper himself:
“There’s no grand principle involved in this decision, just ambition.”