muzzled as always

Conservative 'cone of silence' over Emerson defection
Feb 15 2006

It appears that B.C.'s 17 Conservative MPs aren't prepared to share their thoughts about the controversial defection by Vancouver-Kingsway MP David Emerson.

Last week, Emerson abandoned the Liberals to join the Conservative cabinet, provoking intense reaction – most of it negative.

Each of them was called twice in the past two days and asked to respond to one question: should David Emerson step down and run in a byelection as a Conservative?

However, none of them responded to the question.

University of Victoria political scientist Jamie Lawson says the lack of response shows the Conservatives are pulling together.

"This issue has proven to be a lot more controversial than insiders in the party expected. The government is behaving like a government and is circling the wagons around Mr. Emerson."

Back in November, an MP from Nova Scotia introduced a bill that would have forced members who switch sides to step down and run in a byelection.

The motion lost. But seven Tories who were re-elected in B.C. voted in favour of the bill.

In the wake of the CBC survey, it's now not clear how they would vote if the same bill were introduced again.
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