the new tory backbench puppet

The country is enduring one of the most troubling economic times and governments all over the world are trying really hard to minimize their partisan shenanigans and stick to governing and fixing the economy. Here at home, Harper and his buddies in the front-benches are trying really really hard not to SEEM like they are reverting back to the Dion-era ways of partisan smearing and bullying. So it looks like they're trying to make a puppet out of backbench MP Daryl Kramp (Prince Edward Hastings, ON) to do their dirty work for them. Luckily no one cares what Kramp has to say and its nice to see Peter Milliken making a better effort to crack down on playground behaviour in the House of Commons.

local values trump john tory ambitions

Yesterday's by-election has demonstrated the power and the importance of local and grassroots politics. Unlike the former riding of Dufferin-Grey-Wellington-Peel (now Dufferin-Caledon), which has been used in the past by many Conservative leaders (including Tory himself) as a surrogate riding, the residents of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock have voted loud and clear that they will not be labelled and will not be taken for granted. Rural voters saw through John Tory's intentions and decided to go instead with a local, like Laurie Scott, who actually lives in the riding and who actually understands the realities and struggles of the surrounding area.

The "bye-bye-bye-election" results have definitely sealed John Tory's fate as party leader. Instead of returning to the opposition front bench, the voters have sent former school board chairman Rick Johnson to the backbenches of the Liberal government caucus. Laurie Scott, the unfortunate sacrificial lamb in this situation, will now have to run against a Liberal incumbent 2011 in what was suppose to be her riding. After losing three elections, I think it's time for John to hang up his political ambitions for now. After being beaten down so many times, I doubt, but I do hope he will consider running again for Mayor of Toronto in the next muncipal election. I truly believe that he will make an excellent mayor for our financially troubled city.

So now that John is more than likely leaving, who is going to take his spot? Who wants the honour to rebuild the party and lead the Tories in the next election (only a short 2 years away)? Tim Hudak? Christine Elliot? Jim Flaherty? Frank Klees? Lizzy Witmer? Let the predictions begin!

I want to also congratulate Rick Johnson on his victory! He went against the "conservative stronghold" tide and prevailed. It was well deserved and well earned!