Chantal Hebert recently analyzed Stéphane Dion's characterization of Garth Turner's decision to join the Liberal Party as proof that the Liberals have become the new home of the Red Tories. She rightfully concludes that Dion clearly wasn't accurate in his statement.
Turner is no red-Tory. As Hebert points out, his 1993 federal party P.C. leadership campaign included deep cuts to social programs, sought to reduce old-age security pensions, maternity leave and employment insurance payments, and introduce hospital user fees. He also called for the privatization of Canada Post and the CBC and the elimination of the multiculturalism ministry. Turner himself stated "There are a lot of Conservatives who think the party today is too centrist...Those people are looking for a return to conservative values within the Conservative party. And quite frankly, I'm out to appeal to a number of those people, because I share that belief. It's basically a conservative message. It's just one that they haven't heard from the Conservatives for a while."
While history shows us that Turner certainly isn't a red-Tory, I would in fact propose that the Liberal Party is the party of red-Tories. After all, they're just Tories with red election signs.
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2 comments:
Well put!
The Libs are just greedy power hungry slimy politicians who feel its their right to be in power ... Canada's supposed natural governing party.
They cant be without power. They will do everything to keep that power. This includes fear mongering, lying and turner is just one of those people who feels the need to seem important. He has no other cause other than his book sales...garth is about garth. He would have joined the ndp if he felt they had a chance of winning.
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