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| Nycole Turmel conoodling with ultra-separatist candidate Bill Clennett and Francoise David, leader of Quebec solidaire. |
Either that, or Layton is deathly afraid that had he made Thomas Mulcair interim leader, there'd be no place for Layton to return.
Either way, it says a lot about the Ndp and what kind of party it will be going ahead without Jack Layton.
It isn't any secret that the Quebec caucus of the Ndp is riddled with separatists and/or separatists who have changed their politics and are now re-born federalists.
Those who change political sides are entitled to do so.
After all, if a drunk can become a teetotaller, Madame Turmel can become a federalist. It's rare, but it does happen.
Today she swears up and down that she is a federalist and always has been, but the facts don't bear her out.
Despite her denials, she can't hide from the truth that she was a vocal supporter and card-carrying member of the Quebec solidaire AND the Bloc Quebecois.
Here is a video of a press conference, a few years ago, in which Madame Turcotte professes loyalty to Quebec's radical separatist party, Quebec solidaire. She offers her unfettered endorsement of Bill Clennett, a union/separatist radical who is best remembered for being manhandled by Prime Minister Jean Chretien when he broke through the PM's security perimeter. YouTube
After the incident a furious Sheila Copps accused Clennett of being a radical separatist hiding behind a unionist label.
Ms. Turmel is unequivocal in her support for Mr. Clennett and Quebec Solidaire, telling the audience that she feels 'very close' to the QS political agenda.
Francois David, co-president of the ultra-separatist party declared that "The support of Ms Turmel is a great honour for me and serves our campaign well.".
"Asked to comment on her support of Québec solidaire, Ms. Turmel declared last Wednesday: “When I supported Quebec solidaire, it still hadn’t adopted the resolution declaring itself a sovereigntist party. It was before.”
However, in Quebec solidaire’s Declaration of Principles (Foundation) passed in 2006, the year before Ms. Turmel’s support to QS, the party declared itself a supporter of Quebec sovereignty. And Ms. Turmel supported the four Outaouais Bloc québécois candidates during the 2006 federal election, a clearly sovereigntist party." Link
After
being confronted about her support for Quebec Solidaire and the
ridiculous claim that she didn't know that the party was sovereignist,
she changed her tune.
"I supported the
progressive policies of the Quebec Solidaire, but such support
does not apply to sovereigntists objectives," LINK{FR}
Yesterday the Globe & Mail published a blockbuster story confirming that Madame Turmel was a member of the Bloc Quebecois for almost five years and only resigned last January when she knew she'd be a candidate for the Ndp. Yesterday she admitted that she still carries a Quebec Solidaire membership card, but promised to quit the party.
Yesterday the Globe & Mail published a blockbuster story confirming that Madame Turmel was a member of the Bloc Quebecois for almost five years and only resigned last January when she knew she'd be a candidate for the Ndp. Yesterday she admitted that she still carries a Quebec Solidaire membership card, but promised to quit the party.
And
so her claim of never being a separatist is tenuous at best, at worst an outright lie.
She, like other soft sovereignists are able to flit between the two camps, seemingly at will.
She, like other soft sovereignists are able to flit between the two camps, seemingly at will.
Today a federalist, yesterday a separatist, next week who knows what. I guess it all depends on the political winds.
There are however avowed separatists in the Quebec caucus who see no contradiction and make no apologies for their support of Quebec independence. This separatist wing of the NDP hasn't garnered much media attention, after all, the party was under the firm direction of Jack Layton, who was crafty enough to use the separatists to his own ends.
There are however avowed separatists in the Quebec caucus who see no contradiction and make no apologies for their support of Quebec independence. This separatist wing of the NDP hasn't garnered much media attention, after all, the party was under the firm direction of Jack Layton, who was crafty enough to use the separatists to his own ends.
As for Madame Turmel, I'm not sure Canadians outside Quebec could ever be comfortable with an ex-sovereignist as leader of the Ndp and so, she is indeed a lame duck and as such a perfect choice as interim leader, someone with no viable long-term leadership prospects, who poses no threat to those who aspire to the top job.
Those who are fans of Jack Layton and even those who are not,
nonetheless must agree that he is a masterful politician, probably the most skilled
in Canada.Keeping a party comprised of so many different elements united and focused seemed like child's play for Jack and like an orchestra conductor who waves his baton effortlessly, the ease at which Layton held his party together is actually quite astonishing.
Unlike 'Uncle Tom' Mulcair, who would throw Canada under the bus in a heartbeat to further his own political ends, Jack was masterful at 'shucking and jiving.' Despite the rhetoric and the Sherbrooke declaration, under Layton, there wasn't any doubt over the Ndp's bone fides as a federalist party and promoter of the Canada brand.
And so until Layton recovers or resigns, the Ndp will tread water with Nycol Turmel. When and if Layton's absence become permanent, Mulcair will grab the top prize.
He is ruthless and determined. He scares people within his own caucus. Running against him and losing would be the kiss of death, so possible contenders will be reluctant to try.
Mean, arrogant, feisty and determined, his pit-bull characterization is well deserved. He will make life miserable for the ruling Conservatives and he will no doubt command a lot of face time on television.
He is naturally combative and aggressive and has the ability to argue effectively against anything. He also has no scruples or real agenda other than Tom Mulcair.
His personality is diametrically opposed to Layton's, but that could play in his favour.
Others who try to emulate Layton's 'good ole boy' persona will pale in comparison.
No doubt the Ndp will be a different party under Mulcair, but perhaps, just perhaps, it will become a better and more effective opposition.
Instead of pushing an unrealistic socialist agenda, Mulcair will be more useful in hammering the government over its errors and policy gaffes. He can and will inflict a lot of pain on the Conservatives and even supporters of the government should agree that in light of a majority government, an effective opposition is in the country's best interest.
The idea of Mulcair as opposition leader should strike fear in the ruling Conservatives and those that are dismissive or underestimate him will suffer for it.
I hate to admit it, but Canada will be better off with a rat like Mulcair leading the opposition.
