Ontario MP Khan leaves Liberals to join Tories

[jolinar of malkshor]

Ontario MP Wajid Khan is leaving the Liberals to join the Tories, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced on Friday.
"I am proud to announce today that Wajid Khan, the member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville, is joining our Conservative caucus," Harper told a news conference on Friday, with Khan at his side.

"I believe that this gesture made by Mr. Khan is a positive message for all Canadians — new Canadians as well as Canadians who have been here for a long time: In our party, there is room for all Canadians," he said.

Khan, formerly a pilot in the Pakistani military, told reporters that while "politics makes strange bedfellows … nothing about my decision to join the Conservative caucus feels strange to me.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/...ct-070105.html

Good start for Dion. This MP was acting as a consultant for the government on the Afghan mission. Dion pretty much said....if you help the conservatives.....your not a Liberal.

Shows exactly how much the Liberals plan on working with the government for the betterment of Canadians.

[metallicat]

I'll admit, I don't know much about this story at all. But I know enough about floor crossing to know I don't like it one bit. And I'm a CPC supporter. This guy was voted in as a Liberal, and he has now betrayed his party and his constituents much like Stronach and Emerson did. His defection didn't come at the worst possible time for another party (Belinda), but it's the same thing.

I would have perferred him to sit as an independant and listen to his constituents rather than joining the Tories.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I'll admit, I don't know much about this story at all. But I know enough about floor crossing to know I don't like it one bit. And I'm a CPC supporter. This guy was voted in as a Liberal, and he has now betrayed his party and his constituents much like Stronach and Emerson did. His defection didn't come at the worst possible time for another party (Belinda), but it's the same thing.

I would have perferred him to sit as an independant and listen to his constituents rather than joining the Tories.

I agree with you 100%. That is one thing I wish the conservatives would do. Make a lwas to prevent party jumping. If you want to leave your party....fine.....sit as an independant until the next election.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Good start for Dion. This MP was acting as a consultant for the government on the Afghan mission. Dion pretty much said....if you help the conservatives.....your not a Liberal.

Shows exactly how much the Liberals plan on working with the government for the betterment of Canadians.

Opposition parties in most countries find it necessary to disagree with the ruling party a lot to differentiate themselves. It happens all the time, everywhere, in all parties. The Cons weren't exactly endorsing and cooperating with the Libs all the time when they were the opposition either. Its the oppositions job to... oppose, regardless of whether or not you personally think its the right thing to do.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

I agree with you 100%. That is one thing I wish the conservatives would do. Make a lwas to prevent party jumping. If you want to leave your party....fine.....sit as an independant until the next election.

Agreed, independent is ok, but another party is whack.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Opposition parties in most countries find it necessary to disagree with the ruling party a lot to differentiate themselves. It happens all the time, everywhere, in all parties. The Cons weren't exactly endorsing and cooperating with the Libs all the time when they were the opposition either. Its the oppositions job to... oppose, regardless of whether or not you personally think its the right thing to do.

Yes....I am quite aware of how politics works in this country. That is one of the main problems...but it is pretty pathetic when a party leader says your a traitor for giving advise on the governing party when it is doing nothing other than helping people in other countries.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Yes....I am quite aware of how politics works in this country. That is one of the main problems...but it is pretty pathetic when a party leader says your a traitor for giving advise on the governing party when it is doing nothing other than helping people in other countries.

What about if that member didn't tell his party what he was doing and had already promised NOT to cross the floor?

At the time, interim Liberal leader Bill Graham's spokesperson said Khan told Graham about the appointment only after it was already done.

He also said that Graham sought and received assurance that Khan did not plan to cross the floor.

Calgary Herald

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

What about if that member didn't tell his party what he was doing and had already promised NOT to cross the floor?

Calgary Herald

Well we probably will never know....regardless, he should have sat as an indepedent and Dion should not have gave him an ultimatum.

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

What about if that member didn't tell his party what he was doing and had already promised NOT to cross the floor?

Calgary Herald

When he made that committment the party still didn't have a permanent leader as well. He didn't promise not to cross the floor at any time and with the change in leadership he doesn't seem to agree with the Liberals any longer. As quoted from the Calgary Herald:

"In explaining his decision, Khan took a shot at Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and the Liberal party. He said his former party has moved away from people like him who believe in free enterprise, supporting families and a strong, assertive Canada on the world stage.
“Leadership matters and I believe the best leader for Canada is the man who now has the job, Prime Minister Stephen Harper,” Khan said."

It also sure seems that Dion doesn't want to cooperate with the other parties either. As Quoted from the Calgary Hearald:

"On Thursday, Dion said publicly that Khan should make a decision about his loyalties. "You can't have a foot in the government and a foot in the opposition," Dion told reporters yesterday."

I generally don't agree with floor crossing, however, I have less of an issue with this one than Emerson, Belinda, etc. Finally it isn't as though Khan did this blindly. As quoted from the Globe and Mail:

"He said he also notified his riding association president of his plan.
“I am pleased to report that my riding association president and several members of the board support my decision,” he said."

Globe and Mail

[Slava]

Floor crossing is just plain wrong. It was worse when Emerson did this to take a cabinet role just days after an election, but this is still ridiculous. Its funny how patronage only applies when the other guy does it though...where is the accountability law now?

[Vulcan]

This is another reason to vote for the man, not the party when an election comes up. It'll be less disappointing when this happens. Blindly voting along party lines sticks in my craw. It's up to each party to field good candidates.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

What about if that member didn't tell his party what he was doing and had already promised NOT to cross the floor?

Calgary Herald

It didn't say he promised not to cross the floor, only that he didn't have plans. Things change really quickly in politics, Dion's little ultimatum probably didn't help things either.

In any case, crossing the floor has existed for a long time in the Westminster Parliament. We have responsible government, not representative government. There is a huge difference, if an MP is not being treated fairly by his/her party, then they have a complete right to cross to a party that will treat them fairly.

The only problem I have is when MPs cross over with the enticement of a Cabinet portfolio or parliamentary secretary position. Khan, however, will still remain a backbencher MP.

Good for Harper. Dion and the rest of the Liberals forget that they are facing one of the greatest Canadian political strategists and organizers since Diefenbaker.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

This is another reason to vote for the man, not the party when an election comes up. It'll be less disappointing when this happens. Blindly voting along party lines sticks in my craw. It's up to each party to field good candidates.

Agreed. Parties have way too much power under the current legislation in place. Getting rid of all the gag laws would be a good place to start.

[calculoso]

Blame this one on Stephan Dion:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

Khan said his former Liberal party was at odds with his values.

"Quite frankly, the Liberal party has moved away from people like me -- people who believe in free enterprise, support for families and a stronger, more assertive Canada on the world stage."

Khan said he informed Liberal Leader Stephane Dion of his decision on Friday.

"I respect Mr. Dion but I feel that Canada needs a leader and that leader is Prime Minister Stephen Harper."

Dion had told Khan to choose between his party and the Conservatives.

He said Khan could not continue serving as Harper's 'special adviser' and remain a Liberal.

"It is with regret that I have received word of Mr. Khan's decision to leave the Liberal Caucus and join the Conservative Party," Dion said Friday.

"As a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, I was never comfortable with Mr. Khan serving as an advisor to a Conservative Prime Minister, as Mr. Khan has done since August of last year. As Leader of the Party, I felt it imperative that he decide to which party he would ultimately be loyal. Mr. Khan has now made that decision."

Khan said Dion's public ultimatum forced him to make a decision.

[browna]

Slut.
lol

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Rockin' Flames

When he made that committment the party still didn't have a permanent leader as well. He didn't promise not to cross the floor at any time and with the change in leadership he doesn't seem to agree with the Liberals any longer.

Did you feel this way when Stronach left the party and justified it by by saying she was no longer comfortable in the party after Harper took over?

Originally Posted by peter12

It didn't say he promised not to cross the floor, only that he didn't have plans.

Now c'mon. When someone is asked a pointed question and respond with the line, "I have no plans too do that." you must admit it is generall understood that the person is saying, "No, that isn't going to happen."

I'll definitely agree with you Dion's ultimatum probably precipitated this. I'm not sure what anyone expected since he was already consulting for the PM. That sounds like a strange arrangement.

I agree with everyone else that a sitting member of a party should not be able to switch parties. They should be able to sit as an independant but not switch parties until they run in an election as a member of the new party.

[Devils'Advocate]

Before he left politics, Ed Broadbent wrote several proposals to increase accountability to constituents and improve the ethics on the hill. One of them was to stop this party hopping by giving those who no longer wish to sit in their current party a choice: Sit as an independant or call an immediate bi-election.

We should not be ****ed off that Stronach, Khan, Emmerson played by the rules of the game that were given to them. We should be ****ed off that the rules allow this gamesmanship. Of course neither of the two large parties in Canada had any interest in Broadbents accountability suggestions. They were ignored under a Liberal minority AND a Conservative minority.

Again, another reason not to vote for either the Liberals or Conservatives.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by browna

Slut.
lol

Yup - and I say this to make a point.

I find it an interesting parallel that words such as these were "thrown around" when Belinda crossed the floor, but now that this happens....well...the response is really suddenly muted. Interesting to say the least.

And I may be wrong, so if I am I apologize, but I thought the general feeling here was that "floor crossings = bad. REAL bad. no one should cross the floor, because that's bad."

(and it should be noted that I am not a Liberal Party supporter).

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Yup - and I say this to make a point.

I find it an interesting parallel that words such as these were "thrown around" when Belinda crossed the floor, but now that this happens....well...the response is really suddenly muted. Interesting to say the least.

And I may be wrong, so if I am I apologize, but I thought the general feeling here was that "floor crossings = bad. REAL bad. no one should cross the floor, because that's bad."

(and it should be noted that I am not a Liberal Party supporter).

Belinda was sleeping with the second in command in the Conservative party. She left without telling him. She left for a prominent position in the liberal caucus. What she did reeked of opportunism.

Khan was called out by his party for assisting the government in a area where mistakes cost lives. It doesn't appear that he is gaining any position by changing parties. He is doing it for conscience sake. Perhaps he should have just sat as an independent but, I imagine the fact that his party was rejecting him for doing something right and for the greater good of Canadians probably was a motivational factor.

Also, with a probable election this spring he might have not have received the nomination from his district because of Dion. The last Liberal leader had no problem circumventing his own party members and appointing his own choice for candidates. I'm guessing Dion wouldn't have a problem doing the same.

[Resolute 14]

Yup. Belinda crossed for power. There is no suggestion that Khan crossed for same. There is no indication that his role will include anything but that which he has already done for months.

I'm still not a fan of changing parties either - either sit as an independent, or resign and try and win a byelection under your new colours.

That said, interesting that Harper is looking for Liberal MP's to help with certain positions. A sign that he wants the best candidate for a job, not just the best candidate in his party.