Apolitical Staples

I think that it would be better if people declared themselves independent first and simply voted with the party they wanted to join, but as Mr. Khan spoke with his community and with his riding association (who for the most part supported his decision), I don’t see the harm.

At least he had time to see what Harper stood for, and could then make his decision.

As you said though, this is part of the game.

This is somewhat different from David Emerson. Now that we’re a year into this parliament, floor crossing seems more acceptable. Especially if Khan (Khaaaaan!) doesn’t jump directly into a cabinet post.

The fundamental fact that most people forget is this (and in terms of Belinda, I questioned her motives, not her right to make the jump): regardless of most voter’s intent, they are (legally) voting for a PERSON. The party has endorsed that person, but your vote is for the individual.

Personally,I believe floor crossing is wrong wrong wrong. They are never performed for the benefit of the constituents,only for the benefit of the politician’s personal ambitions and that of his new party.We barely have a democracy as is…negating a majority’s decision in any riding further erodes what little say us peons do have.

Also,when this occurrs,why should the taxpayer have to fund yet another election?I say,at the very least,they should sit as an independant until the next federal election.That way,instead of being both a slap in the face and kick in the balls to the politician’s betrayed supporters…it’s only a slap in the face.

BTW,I keep stumbling across your site….maybe it’s time to list you in my favorites….Good work!

The Riding president had this to say (CBC):

“I agree with him and my own personal opinion is that the Liberal party has been taking us for granted — immigrants that have worked and supported the party so much, it’s been so far only a one-way street,” Sagheer said.

Ouch.

Let’s face it, Belinda gave floor-crossing a bad name, and Emerson put some icing on top for good measure.

However, I think the general resentment from the public against floor-crossing reflects a basic ignorance of how our system works. As Jeff pointed out, we elect MPs to Parliament. Although they declare which party they’ll sit with if elected, that’s a secondary consideration in our voting system. Trust in the MP is the first.

That’s why it ought to be the prerogative of the MP to decide if she or he wants to remain with the same party.

It’s perfectly valid for Khan to become convinced, after spending much time with him, that Harper is the best man to lead the country. And it’s also perfectly valid for Khan to make this decision on behalf of his constituents. That’s the power they gave him when they voted for him.

In fact, the same goes for Emerson. The problem with him, of course, was that it came so soon after he opposed the very people he ended up joining, and no one believed his constituents would ever vote for him as a Conservative.

Indeed, the Khan crossing is more in line with the way they should be done. Maybe he’ll start giving the concept a good name again.

I, too, first though that he should sit as an independent. But I’ve change my mind on that. His constituents didn’t vote him in as an independent, nor did he accept a reward for joining the Conservatives. So, I think some level of decency was maintained.

I still think that accepting cabinet positions and such after a floor-crossing can be OK. Yet, not in this political climate, nor was Khan in any way deserving. He’s probably exactly where he should be right now.