There are some who suggest that the Liberals should vote against the Ways and Means Motion that was triggered by the Conservatives' fiscal update.
Instead, we voted neither for it nor against it.
Stephen Harper has been manipulating Parliament by setting up each motion or legislation arising from his Speech from the Throne as a confidence motion. He has also stated that he would accept no amendments to his Legislation. Both of these suggestions show contempt for Parliament and an absolute control that has typified all of his behaviour as Prime Minister.
We, the Official Opposition refuse to succumb to this manipulation.
Abstaining from a vote is our only way to counteract the absolute control of this government... to refuse to be manipulated is in itself a strong principle and requires courage and determination which our leader continues to demonstrate.
Do we agree with the Harper government's Speech from the Throne? No.
Its lack of vision for the country? No.
Its unbalanced fiscal policy that sees tax cuts as the only solution to Canada's looming economic and social problems? No.
Logically, the objective is then to ensure that the Harper government does not have the ability to implement that agenda.
We will do this in a time of our own choosing.
We will also not respond to the NDPs taunts.
Let us not forget that this is the NDP who conspired with the Conservatives in November 2005 to bring down the Liberal government and elect this Harper government. As Tom Flanagan, Harper's senior campaign advisor, unequivocally states in his recent book, the Conservatives could not have formed government without the help of Layton's NDP.
This is the NDP who knew that the Liberal government was implementing all of the policy "principles" that they supposedly espoused:
National child care, $1.4 billion on homelessness, a national housing strategy, Kyoto, the Kelowna Accord, the Court Challenges Program, $3.5 billion in Skills and Training agreements, a strong Arts and Culture policy, a Cities funding agenda and a commitment to global multilateralism.
The NDP knew that the Conservatives disagreed with all of those policies. Now, watching them scream and react to the consequences of their actions 22 months ago is a lesson in hypocrisy at its best.
There are principles worth fighting for. Principles that are also in the best interest of Canadians.
The NDP had the opportunity to stand on their principles.
They chose otherwise.
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- Hedy
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
November 1, 2007, Ottawa
