Saturday, April 09, 2005

The Rats are Always the First to Jump Ship

With today's Ipsos poll showing the Liberals at a stunning 13% in Alberta, behind even the NDP, David Kilgour is considering defecting...again. Kilgour, you'll recall moved to the Liberals because he opposed the GST - and didn't have any problem with the Liberals failing to abolish it. He also isn't a fan of gay marriage, or really, any Liberal policy for that matter. There's a rumour in Liberal circles that Kilgour's brother-in-law, John Turner, called Chretien and warned the big guy not to give David Kilgour any sort of meaningful cabinet post shortly after Chretien won in '93.

One of my consolations when I saw that 13% was that it would finally mean the end of David Kilgour's political career. Unfortunately, not. Assuming he follows through with his threat, Kilgour will join Jean Lapierre as the only two "double-turncoats" in parliament. Well, that is assuming Lapierre doesn't bolt back to the BQ...

17 Comments:

  • I agree. Kilgour is the Liberals version of Zell Miller. Good bye good riddence.

    By Blogger Koby, at 12:03 a.m.  

  • can you imagine kilgour sitting in a group photo between anders and kenney? that makes me laugh, except the part about losing a liberal seat. i doubt he would be welcome into the alberta conservative caucus. career over.

    By Blogger Robert McBean., at 2:22 a.m.  

  • Did Kilgour quit the PCs over the GST, or did Mulroney kick him out for voting against it? The various news stories on him this weekend are contradicting each other...

    By Blogger The Invisible Hand, at 11:25 a.m.  

  • I heard that he was retiring anyway. Sources say that Chinwe Okelu and Debby Carlson are going to go for the nomination. Mind you, those were pre-Brault rumours, and rumours at best.

    By Blogger daveberta, at 1:24 p.m.  

  • I have to agree with Robert that the Liberal party is better off without Kilgour. I think it's fine to have some dissent within a party but why would you want someone who doesn't agree with any party policy?

    By Blogger Unknown, at 10:34 p.m.  

  • Today's Ekos Poll:

    CPC 36.2%
    Libs. 25%

    Libs. have fallen behind the Cons and NDP in B.C, Alberta, and the Prairies.

    I agree with everyone about Kilgour, but its not just the rats leaving the ship now.

    By Blogger Matthew, at 10:40 a.m.  

  • pet,

    Maybe that cabmin that spoke out against SSM and said he'd be willing to lose his job over it? (Forget who).

    Other than that, I don't know. Who knows, maybe it's Scott Brison and they Tories and the Libs will trade double turncoats.

    I like Kilgour. But I think he's committed political suidice witht his. He's not welcome anywhere now. Except maybe with the NDP.

    By Blogger sir john a., at 11:32 a.m.  

  • No idea who the other two might be...my guess is Kenney is just blowing smoke and trying to spread rumours. If others do defect, it would likely be people afraid of losing in the next election - either Quebec MPs or rural Ontario MPs in my opinion.

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 2:03 p.m.  

  • * Anyone remember Churchill's quote about what it takes to "rat" and "re-rat"?

    * Even if Kilgour re-rats, he wouldn't necessarily be the CPC candidate next time 'round. Apparently (but don't take this as gospel ... the rules may end up changing), he would *not* be protected from a nomination challenge, and the CPC nominee in the last election (who almost beat Kilgour) has indicated he plans on going for it again.

    * From Robert: "...except the part about losing a liberal seat ... " - Robert, I thought you had a hate-on for the grits as well as the tories; wasn't there some sort of "plague on both your houses" post on your blog/blahg? Why would you be upset if the grits lose a seat?

    By Blogger Jason Hickman, at 7:44 p.m.  

  • Pat O'brian is one of them, according to here: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2005/04/11/992158-cp.html. According to the article, they say Kilgour has already stopped attending caucus and will be gone within the week.

    By Blogger UWHabs, at 10:48 p.m.  

  • jason, "a pox on both your houses" is not my style of writing. i think your confusing me with someone else, and its also not my sentiment. i've lived in alberta all my life and always voted Lib federally. when i lived in kilgour's riding i voted for him even though he does not reflect a lot of my views. (he is also quite aloof from constituents.) provincially, i supported harry chase in the last election.

    your broader point? if an albertan is alienated by both major parties i would not hold that against them, its perfectly understandable.

    when i know who the libs nominate to run against rob anders in the next election i'll take a good look, but i see me supporting them. hopefully its jason thompson again.

    my basic feeling has always been that alberta elects a disproportionate amount of conservatives (both fed & prov) given the actual breakdown of views in alberta society. a big part of that is media manipulation.

    By Blogger Robert McBean., at 1:53 p.m.  

  • Unfortunantly, it sounds like Justin Thompson won't be running for the Liberals in the next election.

    From what I hear, all the ridings are having a very hard time finding candidates.

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 6:58 p.m.  

  • David Kilgour has been my friend for over 25 years. He was first elected to Canada's Parliament in 1979. In my opinion David Kilgour is a man of great honor and integrity.

    Here is a copy of an e-mail message I have sent to David.

    -----Original Message-----
    From: MICHAEL McCAFFERTY [mailto:mccafferty@accesscomm.ca]
    Sent: April 11, 2005 7:51 PM
    To: HONOURABLE DAVID KILGOUR M.P.
    Subject: Please cross over and become a Conservative MP

    To: The Honourable David Kilgour, M.P.

    Greetings David,

    This note is to encourage you to do what is right for Canada and to take the necessary steps to become a Conservative Member of Parliament.

    Twenty six years ago this spring you and I met for the first time. You were a new M.P. from Alberta and I was an aide to John Diefenbaker.

    Over the years I have come to very much respect and admire you because of your great integrity and honesty and your Christian values.

    To me you are truly a great Canadian patriot and an outstanding parliamentarian.

    I very much encourage you to join the Conservative caucus. It is my heartfelt belief you would be doing what is right for Canada.

    My friend I will pray for you and God bless you.

    Very respectfully

    Michael

    By Blogger Michael McCafferty, at 10:44 p.m.  


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