Belinda takes the leap

Ultimately, I believe MPs should have to be re-elected by their constituents prior to being able to cross the increasingly divided parliamentary floor. However, I am rather amused to read statements accusing Belinda Stronach of blatant political opportunism.

Stronach is not a sneaky turncoat betraying devotion to her party; she is simply fed up with the regressive, out-of-step direction the Conservatives have charted. Furthermore, her move sheds light on the fact that today’s Conservative party is little more than a successive front of ye old Reform/Alliance days.

Other party members caught in the dubious PC/Alliance amalgamation and feeling choked by Harper’s stranglehold on keeping their progressive beliefs at bay, should take a cue from Ms. Stronach and reconsider their position within the party.

Meanwhile, Harper and his Conservatives jumping into bed with separatists in an attempt to bring down the government solidifies the fact that he is not serving the best interests of the whole of the country. Rather, he is adamant about holding parliament hostage in the name of exploiting his own personal leadership ambitions.

The Conservatives and the Bloc don’t share the same political philosophy, let alone an entire platform. The only traits they have in common are their knee-jerk reactions they are anxious to thrust onto the public.

Harper’s credibility has been shot by the manner in which he states he can’t keep budget promises for cash to go to programs like childcare, and then retract that by saying a spring election wouldn’t dismiss any legislation regarding childcare currently on the table.

Harper also originally stated that his party would not defeat the government over the federal budget out of concern for the national interest. And then for weeks on end he has held up any possibility of proper governing with his opposition to the budget. Now, it seems again that he is instructing his party to pass the main budget but reject the amendment made between Layton and Martin.

Although it’s up to debate as to whether the Liberals are the best of the four poor choices we have available for governing this country, Belinda Stronach displayed a great deal of leadership moving into a party that better fits her ideals.

So, what is happening with Peter?

This article originally appeared in the Calgary Herald