I support Bruce Hyer, former NDP representative for Thunder Bay-Superior North who opted to sit as an Independent in the House of Commons. I supported Bruce in the last election and support him in his decision. The Chronicle Journalwas critical of him, but I think his rationale was sound. His prescription for fixing parliament that he wrote in a separate piece published by the Chronicle Journal is very good. It is regrettable that the parliamentary procedures do not permit him to act and advocate on those issues that are important to him and important to those of us in his riding. Hyer wrote that:
“I have much respect for most Members in this House. But our three main parties require lockstep discipline, with little room for meaningful public debate... or for putting constituents ahead of party politics.” “Instead of cooperation and compromise, voters often see mindless solidarity, where political parties are always right and voters are always wrong. One example is the long gun registry, where there has been no real compromise at all. Mr. Mulcair has made it clear he will bring back the long gun registry, and will use the whip. I am also concerned that Mr. Mulcair does not seem willing to co-operate with other parties on issues. And on climate change, parties are hopelessly locked to Cap & Trade or outright inaction, making compromise to achieve even piecemeal progress impossible.”
Good decision Bruce and shame on Mr Mulcair for using the whip on an issue like the long gun registry. As Nietzsche once quipped, the party person is by necessity a liar. We need to remember that we elect politicians not to sit as robots for the party but for their judgement and conscience.
“I have much respect for most Members in this House. But our three main parties require lockstep discipline, with little room for meaningful public debate... or for putting constituents ahead of party politics.” “Instead of cooperation and compromise, voters often see mindless solidarity, where political parties are always right and voters are always wrong. One example is the long gun registry, where there has been no real compromise at all. Mr. Mulcair has made it clear he will bring back the long gun registry, and will use the whip. I am also concerned that Mr. Mulcair does not seem willing to co-operate with other parties on issues. And on climate change, parties are hopelessly locked to Cap & Trade or outright inaction, making compromise to achieve even piecemeal progress impossible.”
Good decision Bruce and shame on Mr Mulcair for using the whip on an issue like the long gun registry. As Nietzsche once quipped, the party person is by necessity a liar. We need to remember that we elect politicians not to sit as robots for the party but for their judgement and conscience.
RSS Feed
