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Stronach: 'Culture of Conspiracy' in Harper's Conservative Party |
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Written by Liberal Party of Canada
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Wednesday, 11 January 2006 |
Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Belinda Stronach said this morning’s Globe and Mail story regarding a Conservative plan to have a backbencher introduce a private member’s bill on abortion is typical of the way Stephen Harper’s Conservatives reach deals with social conservative allies behind closed doors.
"Just beneath the surface of the safest campaign planning lies the real heart of the Stephen Harper Conservative Party – ideological, narrow, intolerant," said Minister Stronach. "Mr. Harper himself has not changed since the days not long ago when he was an outspoken neo-con ideologue, who ran a right-wing organization and admired the Republican right in the U.S. more than his own Canadian political culture. Mr. Harper authored the "firewall" letter on Alberta separatism. And he surrounds himself with a small group of like-minded individuals."
Yesterday, Minister Stronach said Conservative Justice Critic Vic Toews’ comments about using the notwithstanding clause, and Ajax-Pickering candidate Rondo Thomas’ comments about declaring war on those who disagree with his social conservative views, are just the latest indications that Stephen Harper has cloaked the Conservative Party in a false moderate façade. Now, today’s report regarding e-mails from Mr. Harper’s inner circle suggests that it is acceptable to promise social conservatives something in private but deny it in public.
"There is a ‘culture of conspiracy’ in Mr. Harper’s Conservative Party in making secret deals with the single-issue social conservative interest groups; prominent social conservatives themselves confirmed not long ago that they will stay quiet to allow the Conservative Party to be elected, and then collect their agenda. It is no accident that comments like those made by Mr. Toews and Mr. Thomas are made and tolerated," she said. "Mr. Harper leads a group trying to convince Canadians to let them run the country, but, with them, come all kinds of other people who stay in the shadows until January 24 with agendas not on the ballot."
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