J
jamerinbow
Guest
Martin is making gains in the West. In fact, he's leading in all the provinces except Alberta. I realistically don't see more than 48 seats for the new Conservative party.
...James
...James
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G
ganjavih
Guest
Martin is 'right wing'? Geeze... take a look at politics outside of Canada some time to see what real right wing is... Martin is hardly 'right wing'.
B
BuildTO
Guest
Martin has balls. He's not a yes man.
Yeah, good thing he stood up to Bush on the Arar issue! Wow. From now on, Canadian citizens can be deported to countries which practise torture... and the Americans will do us the huge courtesy of letting us know! (Not that they didn't last time.)
I was afraid that Martin was just going to be Bush's lap dog. In the name of placating the Americans, Martin has proven himself to be worse: a doormat.
N
nicetommy2002
Guest
Martin is playing politics with the Americans. It's a game. It helps this country economically. Anyways, Bush wont be in power after the next election... but Martin will, and he'll be dealing with the democrats.
A
Are Be
Guest
ganjavihMartin is 'right wing'? Geeze... take a look at politics outside of Canada some time to see what real right wing is... Martin is hardly 'right wing'.
Martin the slasher! At least his massive spending cuts were clearly kind and compassionate, unlike those cuts from the mean spirited Mike Harris Tories!!!
He's back pedaling on Kyoto!
Martin is the kind of centralist the big banks and the big companies favour!
He's as left wing as Tony - the Tory - Blair!
Has the right wing ever had it so good in Canada?
A
Are Be
Guest
Liberal feud escalates
Photo: Fred Chartrant/CP, Jim Ross/Globe and Mail
Transport Minister Tony Valeri and former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps are sparring over the Liberal nomination in her reshaped riding.
By CAMPBELL CLARK
From Friday's Globe and Mail
POSTED AT 2:18 AM EST         Friday, Jan. 16, 2004
Advertisement
Ottawa — Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps accused Prime Minister Paul Martin Thursday of squeezing her out of federal politics, charging that his senior organizers have rigged the rules to stop her from winning the Liberal nomination in her riding.
The bitter fight for the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek nomination between Ms. Copps and Transport Minister Tony Valeri broke into a loud, nasty and public war Thursday, the day after she publicly flirted with running for the New Democratic Party.
"[The Liberal Party] is like a family. I don't want to leave my family, and it's not a decision that I take lightly. But at the end of the day if I've got the deck stacked against me, I may be left with no choice," she said.
Ms. Copps accused Mr. Martin's most senior organizers of directing a cabal against her, and named Ontario campaign chair Karl Littler, national campaign co-chair David Herle, and national party president Michael Eizenga, who she accused of organizing an effort to ensure she loses the nomination.
"Yeah, of course, Karl Littler," she said. "Karl, David, Michael." When asked if she believes Paul Martin is behind an attempt to defeat her, she said, "Of course."
"It's disingenuous to think that this was dreamed up by Tony himself. This was all cross-checked by them a long time ago."
Both Ms. Copps and Mr. Valeri are fighting for the Liberal nomination in the new Hamilton East-Stoney Creek riding that will be created when electoral district boundaries are shifted this year.
The riding encompasses half of Ms. Copps's Hamilton East constituency and half of Mr. Valeri's Stoney Creek district.
When Hamilton-area ridings were redrawn, most MPs shifted eastward. But Mr. Valeri chose to stay with the western half of his current riding and fight Ms. Copps, rather than move east to the Niagara West-Glanbrook riding that includes semi-rural areas outside Hamilton. And Liberal insiders say Mr. Valeri is winning.
Thursday, Mr. Valeri denied that he is trying to run Ms. Copps out of politics, insisting he was forced into a battle because of electoral redistribution.
He said more than half of his old Stoney Creek riding is in the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek riding, and he has always considered himself a Hamilton MP. He acknowledged he does not live in the riding, but rather in Niagara West-Glanbrook, but said it is up to the people to choose their candidate.
"I'm not looking for options here. I am asking the community for support. If the community decides that they do not want to support me, I'll accept that," he said.
Ms. Copps has suggested she might switch parties. On Wednesday, she spoke to NDP Leader Jack Layton by telephone and refused to rule out running for the New Democrats.
On hursday, Mr. Layton used the controversy to charge that Mr. Martin's government has "targeted" left-leaning Liberals — particularly women.
"It's a naked power grab by the conservative forces in the Liberal Party," Mr. Layton told reporters.
Ms. Copps said the Liberal Party nomination rules are set up against her and allow party officials to help favourites, something that will influence her decision on whether to leave the party.
She said rules for the race are unfair because candidates for the nomination will be able to get only 200 forms, and after that, can obtain only five forms at a time. She said that will handicap her attempts to sign up members, while Mr. Valeri will be able to obtain more forms from his friends in the party.
However, Mr. Littler said that is false. He described rules that provide nomination candidates access to large numbers of forms.
Each candidate will get 500 forms when the race begins, and they can return completed forms to be replaced at any time, he said.
"We're bending over backwards, frankly, to be fair."
Ms. Copps, who was for a decade a powerful minister in Jean Chrétien's cabinet, said that Mr. Martin signalled his bias for Mr. Valeri by promoting him to cabinet in the Transport portfolio, which is important to Hamilton.
She said that Mr. Martin's organization is dissuading potential candidates from challenging favoured MPs, but allows challenges of people they want to remove. She said that Mr. Martin has been complimentary face to face, but his organizers have indicated to her and others that they want her out.
With a report from Simon Tuck
© 2003 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.
:tup:
Photo: Fred Chartrant/CP, Jim Ross/Globe and Mail
Transport Minister Tony Valeri and former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps are sparring over the Liberal nomination in her reshaped riding.
By CAMPBELL CLARK
From Friday's Globe and Mail
POSTED AT 2:18 AM EST         Friday, Jan. 16, 2004
Advertisement
Ottawa — Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps accused Prime Minister Paul Martin Thursday of squeezing her out of federal politics, charging that his senior organizers have rigged the rules to stop her from winning the Liberal nomination in her riding.
The bitter fight for the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek nomination between Ms. Copps and Transport Minister Tony Valeri broke into a loud, nasty and public war Thursday, the day after she publicly flirted with running for the New Democratic Party.
"[The Liberal Party] is like a family. I don't want to leave my family, and it's not a decision that I take lightly. But at the end of the day if I've got the deck stacked against me, I may be left with no choice," she said.
Ms. Copps accused Mr. Martin's most senior organizers of directing a cabal against her, and named Ontario campaign chair Karl Littler, national campaign co-chair David Herle, and national party president Michael Eizenga, who she accused of organizing an effort to ensure she loses the nomination.
"Yeah, of course, Karl Littler," she said. "Karl, David, Michael." When asked if she believes Paul Martin is behind an attempt to defeat her, she said, "Of course."
"It's disingenuous to think that this was dreamed up by Tony himself. This was all cross-checked by them a long time ago."
Both Ms. Copps and Mr. Valeri are fighting for the Liberal nomination in the new Hamilton East-Stoney Creek riding that will be created when electoral district boundaries are shifted this year.
The riding encompasses half of Ms. Copps's Hamilton East constituency and half of Mr. Valeri's Stoney Creek district.
When Hamilton-area ridings were redrawn, most MPs shifted eastward. But Mr. Valeri chose to stay with the western half of his current riding and fight Ms. Copps, rather than move east to the Niagara West-Glanbrook riding that includes semi-rural areas outside Hamilton. And Liberal insiders say Mr. Valeri is winning.
Thursday, Mr. Valeri denied that he is trying to run Ms. Copps out of politics, insisting he was forced into a battle because of electoral redistribution.
He said more than half of his old Stoney Creek riding is in the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek riding, and he has always considered himself a Hamilton MP. He acknowledged he does not live in the riding, but rather in Niagara West-Glanbrook, but said it is up to the people to choose their candidate.
"I'm not looking for options here. I am asking the community for support. If the community decides that they do not want to support me, I'll accept that," he said.
Ms. Copps has suggested she might switch parties. On Wednesday, she spoke to NDP Leader Jack Layton by telephone and refused to rule out running for the New Democrats.
On hursday, Mr. Layton used the controversy to charge that Mr. Martin's government has "targeted" left-leaning Liberals — particularly women.
"It's a naked power grab by the conservative forces in the Liberal Party," Mr. Layton told reporters.
Ms. Copps said the Liberal Party nomination rules are set up against her and allow party officials to help favourites, something that will influence her decision on whether to leave the party.
She said rules for the race are unfair because candidates for the nomination will be able to get only 200 forms, and after that, can obtain only five forms at a time. She said that will handicap her attempts to sign up members, while Mr. Valeri will be able to obtain more forms from his friends in the party.
However, Mr. Littler said that is false. He described rules that provide nomination candidates access to large numbers of forms.
Each candidate will get 500 forms when the race begins, and they can return completed forms to be replaced at any time, he said.
"We're bending over backwards, frankly, to be fair."
Ms. Copps, who was for a decade a powerful minister in Jean Chrétien's cabinet, said that Mr. Martin signalled his bias for Mr. Valeri by promoting him to cabinet in the Transport portfolio, which is important to Hamilton.
She said that Mr. Martin's organization is dissuading potential candidates from challenging favoured MPs, but allows challenges of people they want to remove. She said that Mr. Martin has been complimentary face to face, but his organizers have indicated to her and others that they want her out.
With a report from Simon Tuck
© 2003 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.
:tup:
M
Mr ManTO
Guest
Martin is amazing! A liberal majority and NDP opposition would be such a great balance in Ottawa. I hope the conservatives and bloq are blown away.
A
Are Be
Guest
Ha!
No, it's going to be right wing Liberal government and right wing Conservatives in opposition. Heck, even if the Conservatives loos half their seats, they'll be the leading opposition!
Truly, the right wing never had it so good! :tup:
No, it's going to be right wing Liberal government and right wing Conservatives in opposition. Heck, even if the Conservatives loos half their seats, they'll be the leading opposition!
Truly, the right wing never had it so good! :tup:
A
Are Be
Guest
       
               
Thu, January 15, 2004
Copps interest in NDP shows prime minister too conservative, says Layton
By SANDRA CORDON
OTTAWA (CP) - There was no disguising Jack Layton's glee Thursday as the NDP leader used his flirtation with left-wing Liberal stalwart Sheila Copps to tweak Prime Minister Paul Martin as too conservative for much of his own party.
"You have somebody more conservative than (Tory) Brian Mulroney leading the Liberal party, (it) shouldn't even be allowed to be called the Liberal party any more," said Layton, his eyes sparkling in anticipation of a fight.
By comparing Martin to Mulroney - one of the least popular prime ministers in recent memory - Layton waved a red flag at the prime minister's inner circle while issuing an "open invitation" to Liberals, left-leaning Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois supporters.
The NDP, he said, welcomes "people who believe that Paul Martin's conservative choices are taking the Liberal party and Canada in the wrong direction. . .It's a corporate drift away from Canadian values."
Copps, a former Liberal cabinet minister and two-time federal leadership contender, spoke Wednesday with Layton and later refused to rule out the possibility of switching to the New Democrats.
She's been embroiled in a bitter fight for the Liberal nomination in her Hamilton riding and is angry that Martin has refused to support her.
"I want to leave all my options open," Copps said Thursday.
"I never thought that I'd say this. . .but if my party can't run a fair and open process, then I will look at other options."
If Copps defects, it would give Layton's claims of a right-wing drift in politics new credibility, suggested one observer.
"It would be a huge coup to Layton and the NDP if they got her," said Nelson Wiseman, a political scientist at the University of Toronto.
In his view, Copps's practical experience in government would give the NDP, seen by some as a home for flakes, a little extra credibility.
"All this makes the Liberals look less left. . .and it adds a centrist component to the NDP," said Wiseman. "They're raided a player from another team, and player that has incredible profile."
A spokesman for the federal Liberal party said Martin remains committed to "having a great, centrist coalition."
"The progressive component of that coalition is very much alive and well in the Liberal party, and we have no intention of abandoning that tradition or those fundamentals," Steven MacKinnon said in an interview.
Copps has not committed to the NDP, and some believe she may simply be out for revenge in the fierce fight for the Liberal nomination in the new riding of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek,
Transport Minister Tony Valeri, a Martin supporter, is challenging Copps in the riding created under redistribution. It combines a chunk of his old riding with Copps's former constituency of Hamilton East.
After Martin refused to intervene and tell Valeri to back off, Layton said he called Copps to commiserate.
"I just thought it was disgusting. . .that's she's being pushed out."
Layton confirmed he has also spoken with veteran Toronto Liberal MP Charles Caccia, a Copps supporter who is also facing a challenge for the Liberal nomination in his riding.
The NDP leader said he has chatted with others but hasn't tried to directly woo any other angry Liberals.
Several former MPs and cabinet ministers have clashed with Martin's inner circle, but none except Copps have mused about jumping to the NDP.
Allan Rock, a former leadership rival, is leaving the country, having accepted a posting to the United Nations as Martin's ambassador.
Herb Dhaliwal, the former natural resources minister, claims Martin supporters in British Columbia hijacked his riding association, but he has decided to quit politics.
Layton brushed off suggestions that by trying to woo Liberals and red Tories, he risks undermining the NDP's base.
"We're very clear on our values, we have a bit of a reputation for sticking to them."
But even Quebec sovereigntists would be welcome in a new coalition, he added.
Copps ran a distant second to Martin in last fall's Liberal leadership contest. Martin later offered the former heritage minister a patronage appointment, which she refused. Martin did not put her in his cabinet.
MacKinnon dismissed Copps's concerns about a fair fight for the nomination in her riding, maintaining that "the same rules that apply to her apply to every other candidate for a Liberal nomination."
               
Thu, January 15, 2004
Copps interest in NDP shows prime minister too conservative, says Layton
By SANDRA CORDON
OTTAWA (CP) - There was no disguising Jack Layton's glee Thursday as the NDP leader used his flirtation with left-wing Liberal stalwart Sheila Copps to tweak Prime Minister Paul Martin as too conservative for much of his own party.
"You have somebody more conservative than (Tory) Brian Mulroney leading the Liberal party, (it) shouldn't even be allowed to be called the Liberal party any more," said Layton, his eyes sparkling in anticipation of a fight.
By comparing Martin to Mulroney - one of the least popular prime ministers in recent memory - Layton waved a red flag at the prime minister's inner circle while issuing an "open invitation" to Liberals, left-leaning Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois supporters.
The NDP, he said, welcomes "people who believe that Paul Martin's conservative choices are taking the Liberal party and Canada in the wrong direction. . .It's a corporate drift away from Canadian values."
Copps, a former Liberal cabinet minister and two-time federal leadership contender, spoke Wednesday with Layton and later refused to rule out the possibility of switching to the New Democrats.
She's been embroiled in a bitter fight for the Liberal nomination in her Hamilton riding and is angry that Martin has refused to support her.
"I want to leave all my options open," Copps said Thursday.
"I never thought that I'd say this. . .but if my party can't run a fair and open process, then I will look at other options."
If Copps defects, it would give Layton's claims of a right-wing drift in politics new credibility, suggested one observer.
"It would be a huge coup to Layton and the NDP if they got her," said Nelson Wiseman, a political scientist at the University of Toronto.
In his view, Copps's practical experience in government would give the NDP, seen by some as a home for flakes, a little extra credibility.
"All this makes the Liberals look less left. . .and it adds a centrist component to the NDP," said Wiseman. "They're raided a player from another team, and player that has incredible profile."
A spokesman for the federal Liberal party said Martin remains committed to "having a great, centrist coalition."
"The progressive component of that coalition is very much alive and well in the Liberal party, and we have no intention of abandoning that tradition or those fundamentals," Steven MacKinnon said in an interview.
Copps has not committed to the NDP, and some believe she may simply be out for revenge in the fierce fight for the Liberal nomination in the new riding of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek,
Transport Minister Tony Valeri, a Martin supporter, is challenging Copps in the riding created under redistribution. It combines a chunk of his old riding with Copps's former constituency of Hamilton East.
After Martin refused to intervene and tell Valeri to back off, Layton said he called Copps to commiserate.
"I just thought it was disgusting. . .that's she's being pushed out."
Layton confirmed he has also spoken with veteran Toronto Liberal MP Charles Caccia, a Copps supporter who is also facing a challenge for the Liberal nomination in his riding.
The NDP leader said he has chatted with others but hasn't tried to directly woo any other angry Liberals.
Several former MPs and cabinet ministers have clashed with Martin's inner circle, but none except Copps have mused about jumping to the NDP.
Allan Rock, a former leadership rival, is leaving the country, having accepted a posting to the United Nations as Martin's ambassador.
Herb Dhaliwal, the former natural resources minister, claims Martin supporters in British Columbia hijacked his riding association, but he has decided to quit politics.
Layton brushed off suggestions that by trying to woo Liberals and red Tories, he risks undermining the NDP's base.
"We're very clear on our values, we have a bit of a reputation for sticking to them."
But even Quebec sovereigntists would be welcome in a new coalition, he added.
Copps ran a distant second to Martin in last fall's Liberal leadership contest. Martin later offered the former heritage minister a patronage appointment, which she refused. Martin did not put her in his cabinet.
MacKinnon dismissed Copps's concerns about a fair fight for the nomination in her riding, maintaining that "the same rules that apply to her apply to every other candidate for a Liberal nomination."
N
nicetommy2002
Guest
"After Martin refused to intervene and tell Valeri to back off, Layton said he called Copps to commiserate. "I just thought it was disgusting. . .that's she's being pushed out.""
Disgusting?? This is what Layton finds disgusting? When he became the leader of the NDP, I thought he was the best thing for the party. Based on his performance the last few months, I don't think that anymore.
"Layton brushed off suggestions that by trying to woo Liberals and red Tories, he risks undermining the NDP's base. "We're very clear on our values, we have a bit of a reputation for sticking to them." But even Quebec sovereigntists would be welcome in a new coalition, he added."
Quebec sovereigntists? Layton is coming across as somewhat desperate. I have a feeling the federal NDP party has picked the wrong person for the job. I think his antics may be more suitable for local politics, than for a federal campaign.
Disgusting?? This is what Layton finds disgusting? When he became the leader of the NDP, I thought he was the best thing for the party. Based on his performance the last few months, I don't think that anymore.
"Layton brushed off suggestions that by trying to woo Liberals and red Tories, he risks undermining the NDP's base. "We're very clear on our values, we have a bit of a reputation for sticking to them." But even Quebec sovereigntists would be welcome in a new coalition, he added."
Quebec sovereigntists? Layton is coming across as somewhat desperate. I have a feeling the federal NDP party has picked the wrong person for the job. I think his antics may be more suitable for local politics, than for a federal campaign.
B
building babel
Guest
If voters want an alternative to Martin's new conservative Liberals they won't find it in the new Conservative party, which is basically a retread of the discredited and unelectable Reform/Alliance, a western rump with limited appeal to the rest of the country.
The NDP is sitting pretty, quietly waiting for this fact to sink in.
The NDP is sitting pretty, quietly waiting for this fact to sink in.
A
Are Be
Guest
But peopel are not willing to listen. They want Martin. The Conservatives are certain to keep some PC vote and keep much fo the Allaince vote. They will be the opposition.
The NDP will be the third party -- and wil gain some seats in Ontario -- as will the Conservatives. Martin will win 200 seats.
The NDP will be the third party -- and wil gain some seats in Ontario -- as will the Conservatives. Martin will win 200 seats.
J
jamerinbow
Guest
With sovereignty sleeping, I've heard a few people outside of the NDP wonder if the NDP should be courting the remaining members of the BQ. After all, the NDP has no serious organization in Quebec, and outside of sovereignty, the two parties speak the same language on a number of issues.
Also, judging from the buzz surrounding the NDP these days, and their rise in the polls, Layton seems to be doing the right things. Not that there's much to compare him to. Alexa and Audrey didn't do much to inspire confidence... What, really, does Jack have to lose in being bold and gathering up a big left tent to oppose the Liberals? The Liberals are going to win because they're gathering up a big centre-right tent, after all.
...James
Also, judging from the buzz surrounding the NDP these days, and their rise in the polls, Layton seems to be doing the right things. Not that there's much to compare him to. Alexa and Audrey didn't do much to inspire confidence... What, really, does Jack have to lose in being bold and gathering up a big left tent to oppose the Liberals? The Liberals are going to win because they're gathering up a big centre-right tent, after all.
...James
B
building babel
Guest
One scenario:
A chunk of the former Progressive Conservative vote will drift to the Liberals because they won't feel comfortable staying with the new Reform/Alliance "Conservative Party". Net result: the collective Right is weaker.
A chunk of the Liberals will drift off to the NDP, balancing off the vote the Liberals gain from the disenchanted PC's. Net result: The Liberal vote stays the same, maybe goes up a bit.
The NDP's brand of "fern bar socialism" attracts the disenchanted Liberal left. Net result: NDP goes up a bit.
It'll take a couple of elections for this realignment to solidify.
A chunk of the former Progressive Conservative vote will drift to the Liberals because they won't feel comfortable staying with the new Reform/Alliance "Conservative Party". Net result: the collective Right is weaker.
A chunk of the Liberals will drift off to the NDP, balancing off the vote the Liberals gain from the disenchanted PC's. Net result: The Liberal vote stays the same, maybe goes up a bit.
The NDP's brand of "fern bar socialism" attracts the disenchanted Liberal left. Net result: NDP goes up a bit.
It'll take a couple of elections for this realignment to solidify.
A
Are Be
Guest
Layton trying to recruit Axworthy
Canadian Press
POSTED AT 2:50 PM EST         Friday, Jan. 16, 2004
Advertisement
Ottawa — NDP Leader Jack Layton is trying to recruit former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy and several other high-profile Liberals, hoping to woo them from a party he says has swung too far to the right under Prime Minister Paul Martin.
Mr. Layton said he has lobbed pitches at more than half a dozen left-leaning Liberal MPs and former MPs and is trying to recruit their handlers and organizers as well.
His recent appeal to former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps, who is fighting Transportation Minister Tony Valeri for control of a Hamilton-area riding, is part of a bigger strategy, Mr. Layton said.
"I'm calling an awful lot of people and saying the doors are open, we're asking for your advice, no quid pro quos, without prejudice," he said in an interview.
Mr. Axworthy, who recently accepted a job as president of the University of Winnipeg, has opted not to switch parties, Mr. Layton said.
But Mr. Layton added he's looking to the former minister — known for his work in procuring an international anti-land-mines treaty — for policy advice as he prepares an election platform.
"We commiserated about the direction of the (Liberal) party, and particularly about (national missile defence) and international affairs," he said. "I'm hoping that I can be turning to him for advice on these things as I would hope the government would do — but they don't seem to be right now."
Mr. Axworthy was not immediately available for comment Friday.
He is currently working at the University of British Columbia and will take over his new post in May.
Mr. Layton wouldn't name anyone else on his MP recruitment list, but said he has approached more than half a dozen.
He has also targetted some high-profile politicians who were sought by Mr. Martin's campaign team.
Among them, former B.C. NDP premier Ujjal Dosanjh and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray, both of whom were approached last year by Mr. Martin's leadership team as possible star candidates.
Overtures have also been made to some red Tories and some Bloc Quebecois members, Mr. Layton said.
The drive to become a more diverse party is needed after years of the NDP turning inward, he added.
"We have had a somwhat ecclesiastical reputation ..... we've had a funny attitude in the party and maybe we're moving into a new phase," he said.
" The question is, 'Are we going to start organizing ourselves across, and start the kind of conversations across, what used to be boundaries or not?'."
Mr. Layton recently approached Ms. Copps after she accused Mr. Martin loyalists in her area and some in the prime minister's inner circle of trying to push her out of politics.
Mr. Martin's team denied the charge.
Mr. Valeri has said he has chosen to run in the same riding as Ms. Copps because the redistibution of riding boundaries by Elections Canada has placed a majority of his former constituents in the new riding of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.
Ms. Copps, considered the left-leaning candidate in the Liberal leadership race last year, was the only one who stayed the course against Mr. Martin.
Former industry minister Allan Rock — also considered a left-wing Liberal candidate — did not enter the race because he deemed Mr. Martin unbeatable. Mr. Martin made him ambassador to the United Nations in December.
© 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Canadian Press
POSTED AT 2:50 PM EST         Friday, Jan. 16, 2004
Advertisement
Ottawa — NDP Leader Jack Layton is trying to recruit former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy and several other high-profile Liberals, hoping to woo them from a party he says has swung too far to the right under Prime Minister Paul Martin.
Mr. Layton said he has lobbed pitches at more than half a dozen left-leaning Liberal MPs and former MPs and is trying to recruit their handlers and organizers as well.
His recent appeal to former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps, who is fighting Transportation Minister Tony Valeri for control of a Hamilton-area riding, is part of a bigger strategy, Mr. Layton said.
"I'm calling an awful lot of people and saying the doors are open, we're asking for your advice, no quid pro quos, without prejudice," he said in an interview.
Mr. Axworthy, who recently accepted a job as president of the University of Winnipeg, has opted not to switch parties, Mr. Layton said.
But Mr. Layton added he's looking to the former minister — known for his work in procuring an international anti-land-mines treaty — for policy advice as he prepares an election platform.
"We commiserated about the direction of the (Liberal) party, and particularly about (national missile defence) and international affairs," he said. "I'm hoping that I can be turning to him for advice on these things as I would hope the government would do — but they don't seem to be right now."
Mr. Axworthy was not immediately available for comment Friday.
He is currently working at the University of British Columbia and will take over his new post in May.
Mr. Layton wouldn't name anyone else on his MP recruitment list, but said he has approached more than half a dozen.
He has also targetted some high-profile politicians who were sought by Mr. Martin's campaign team.
Among them, former B.C. NDP premier Ujjal Dosanjh and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray, both of whom were approached last year by Mr. Martin's leadership team as possible star candidates.
Overtures have also been made to some red Tories and some Bloc Quebecois members, Mr. Layton said.
The drive to become a more diverse party is needed after years of the NDP turning inward, he added.
"We have had a somwhat ecclesiastical reputation ..... we've had a funny attitude in the party and maybe we're moving into a new phase," he said.
" The question is, 'Are we going to start organizing ourselves across, and start the kind of conversations across, what used to be boundaries or not?'."
Mr. Layton recently approached Ms. Copps after she accused Mr. Martin loyalists in her area and some in the prime minister's inner circle of trying to push her out of politics.
Mr. Martin's team denied the charge.
Mr. Valeri has said he has chosen to run in the same riding as Ms. Copps because the redistibution of riding boundaries by Elections Canada has placed a majority of his former constituents in the new riding of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.
Ms. Copps, considered the left-leaning candidate in the Liberal leadership race last year, was the only one who stayed the course against Mr. Martin.
Former industry minister Allan Rock — also considered a left-wing Liberal candidate — did not enter the race because he deemed Mr. Martin unbeatable. Mr. Martin made him ambassador to the United Nations in December.
© 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.