What's left of the united right
Around 2003, Stephen Harper engineered the merger between the old Progressive Conservatives (led by Peter MacKay) and the Canadian Alliance (originally the Reform Party.) It was not a coalition, which involves power-sharing. And given what's happened to the constituent parts, it probably wasn't much of a merger either. If you consider the evidence, there's not much left of the ingredients of the merger/takeover, on either side.
Peter MacKay. Not doing so well. Maybe not so happy.
Brian Mulroney. Exiled.
Friends, former employees of Mulroney. In big trouble.
Stockwell Day. Gone.
Chuck Strahl, Jay Hill. Gone. And Gone.
Tom Flanagan. In the doghouse, because of his book.
What's left of that merger/takeover? Well, there's Stephen Harper. And his Mike Harris friends. But the stalwarts of the parties he took over or even helped found? Lost along the way, apparently.
I believe in strong leadership, but it has become abundantly clear over the past number of years that all party members must "get in line" with the tone from the top.
It is not surprising to read through the list of casualties above, because they all largely have very strong personalities - and those are difficult to align with laser-like precision, as the current Conservative party line demands.
Posted by: Matthew Gregory | March 23, 2011 at 10:41 PM
You're not looking.
There's many of them, in Parliament and ridings countrywide. Off top of my head:
Peter Van Loan -- former President of PC Party of Canada, now Minister of International Trade
Tony Clement -- former member of PCs, then Alliance -- ran against Harper for Conservative Party Leader -- Minister of Industry
Rob Nicholson -- former PC Cabinet Minister -- now Minister of Justice
Patrick Brown -- former President of Progressive Conservative Youth Federation
John Baird -- former Chief of Staff of Perrin Beatty
MPs Gord Brown, Greg Thompson, James Moore, Daryl Kramp, Gerald Keddy, Scott Reid, Dave Mackenzie, Lois Brown, Michael Chong were all active party members (in one or both parties) prior to merger and there's lots more...
Posted by: Dan Cummings | March 23, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Well, when you put it that way, it does paint a sad little story for those Harpercons, now doesn't it? Except, I find it amusing. I know, I shouldn't. Just that so many Canadians think Steve and his puppets have cornered the market on ethics according to that last IR poll. I wonder if we're going to see more hits coming? And will the average voter actually get mad enough at this motley band to not vote for them come election day?
Posted by: ck | March 23, 2011 at 10:58 PM
UK, USA, France and Canada attacked Libya to protect innocent Civilians from Qaddafi’s forces, why not they are protecting innocent Pakistani civilians killing everyday by drone attacked of USA, do they think there are no innocent civilians being killed by USA drone Attacks on Pakistan?
Posted by: AA | March 23, 2011 at 11:41 PM
What's left of the 2003 Liberal caucus Susan?
They had around 170 MPs!
Posted by: Jim | March 24, 2011 at 12:26 AM
He was screwing people long before that. Just not in public. Now he feels like a God - he does not have to answer to anyone. If he gets voted in again with a majority, watch out!
Posted by: Del | March 24, 2011 at 12:51 AM
Focus on the Tories. If talk turns to the Liberals and Ignatieff, all will be lost.
Posted by: jon | March 24, 2011 at 12:15 PM