Pastoor crosses floor to PCs - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Slava · 11-21-2011, 01:19 PM

I don't know whether anyone has any interest in this, but Bridget Pastoor (Lethbridge East MLA) has crossed the floor from the Alberta Liberals to the Progressive Conservatives.

Its not entirely surprising, but pretty grim for the Liberals in some ways. I hate floor crossings in general, and would rather see a resignation and byelection.

CaptainCrunch · 11-21-2011, 01:20 PM

That drops the Liberals to 8 seats, its amazing how pathetic the opposition is in alberta politics.

Frequitude · 11-21-2011, 01:31 PM

Wish we could do away with floor crossings. You want to change parties? Step down and run on behalf of the other one then.

First Lady · 11-21-2011, 01:38 PM

Reminds me of this.

http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2010/...-soviet-style/

Slava · 11-21-2011, 01:50 PM

It also reminds me of the backbenchers who crossed to go the Wildrose Alliance a couple of years ago...

First Lady · 11-21-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

It also reminds me of the backbenchers who crossed to go the Wildrose Alliance a couple of years ago...

Don't look at me... I don't agree with EVERYTHING that happens...

Quote:

and would rather see a resignation and byelection.

^^ that, I agree with.

PS: Yes, you might be able find a quote from me at the time defending it.
Don't waste you're time looking for it.

Resolute 14 · 11-21-2011, 01:59 PM

The Liberal party should just disband, or merge with the Alberta or NDP party. It is beyond amazing to see just how poorly the Liberals been run over the last several years.

The Yen Man · 11-21-2011, 02:00 PM

I still don't understand how Canadian politics allows for this. You were elected as a liberal, then you serve as a liberal. You're basically betraying your riding by doing that IMO.

CaptainCrunch · 11-21-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The Liberal party should just disband, or merge with the Alberta or NDP party. It is beyond amazing to see just how poorly the Liberals been run over the last several years.

Maybe they should rename themselves the Alberta Liberaltarian party

Ducay · 11-21-2011, 02:02 PM

Whats stopping a group of MPs/MLAs from colluding and getting elected under the popular ruling party (say PC), and then switching parties to form their own? In a minority situation or if you could get enough people on board, you could effectively steal power.

Ducay · 11-21-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I still don't understand how Canadian politics allows for this. You were elected as a liberal, then you serve as a liberal. You're basically betraying your riding by doing that IMO.

Isn't it due to the fact that you're electing the person, not the party? You shouldn't care what party the person is in (theoretically), since you're voting for the best person to represent your area.

The Yen Man · 11-21-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Isn't it due to the fact that you're electing the person, not the party? You shouldn't care what party the person is in (theoretically), since you're voting for the best person to represent your area.

That's true. In theory you are voting for the person. But in reality, people are voting for the party. I refuse to believe a guy like Rob Anders keeps winning because people voted for him and not for his party. Just ask Bertuzzied what he thinks.

Boblobla · 11-21-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Isn't it due to the fact that you're electing the person, not the party? You shouldn't care what party the person is in (theoretically), since you're voting for the best person to represent your area.

We are in a party system. Everyone has their own platform but it aligns with the platform of the party.

I would agree with you if MLAs voted according to how they believe their constituents wanted them to vote, rather than how the party votes.

Slava · 11-21-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Lady

Don't look at me... I don't agree with EVERYTHING that happens...

^^ that, I agree with.

PS: Yes, you might be able find a quote from me at the time defending it.
Don't waste you're time looking for it.

I won't bother, I was just pointing out that although you found an article about Dave Taylor that the Liberals are far from alone on this.

Resolute, the Liberals can't amalgamate with the Alberta Party; that would be like the Flames joining with the U of C Dinos to form an NHL team! The Alberta Party might've had something a year ago, but its done. They really have absolutely nothing. They hold one seat (because of a floor crossing) and after the next election they won't have that either IMO.

First Lady · 11-21-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

Resolute, the Liberals can't amalgamate with the Alberta Party; that would be like the Flames joining with the U of C Dinos to form an NHL team! The Alberta Party might've had something a year ago, but its done. They really have absolutely nothing. They hold one seat (because of a floor crossing) and after the next election they won't have that either IMO.

Dave Taylor isn't running, so very likely you are correct, they will lose that one.

All they really have.... a great name.

Resolute 14 · 11-21-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Whats stopping a group of MPs/MLAs from colluding and getting elected under the popular ruling party (say PC), and then switching parties to form their own? In a minority situation or if you could get enough people on board, you could effectively steal power.

The premier or PM would simply ask the Governor General or Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the legislature at that point and call a new election. It is decidedly unlikely at the best of times that the GG/LG would ever go against the PM/Premier, but much less so in a situation like that.

Resolute 14 · 11-21-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

Resolute, the Liberals can't amalgamate with the Alberta Party; that would be like the Flames joining with the U of C Dinos to form an NHL team! The Alberta Party might've had something a year ago, but its done. They really have absolutely nothing. They hold one seat (because of a floor crossing) and after the next election they won't have that either IMO.

Well, the Wildrose and Alberta Alliance parties were "done" a couple years ago, and now stand a solid chance of becoming the official opposition in the next election. Alberta politics does very strange things at times.

The real problem with any kind of merger on the left is the dearth of leadership in any of the parties. The Liberals are toast, the Albertas are led by an idiot, and the NDP are rising only because the Liberals are falling.

First Lady · 11-21-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Well, the Wildrose and Alberta Alliance parties were "done" a couple years ago, and now stand a solid chance of becoming the official opposition in the next election. Alberta politics does very strange things at times.

Actually the Wildrose was never officially a party. #justsayin

GP_Matt · 11-21-2011, 02:51 PM

I don't think there is any problem with crossing the floor. That said, you had better have a great reason for doing it or I think you will get hammered in the next election. If you are diametrically opposed to the direction your party is taking then I think it makes sense to cross.

Wormius · 11-21-2011, 02:59 PM

I think if your particular MLA/MP/whoever can be more effective with another party, then they should at least query their constituents before a move like that.

I think the way party leaders can remove an elected rep from caucus is highly un-democratic and bothers me more than anybody changing political affiliations. This is definitely a reason I won't vote for the Alberta PCs or the Federal Conversative party again.