Thursday, February 05, 2004

LIBERAL RANKS CONTINUE TO GROW

It became official today, former Liberal and Bloc Quebecois founder Jean Lapierre joined Pual Martin and the Liberal Party after a 14 year absence.

Lapierre on his time spent trying to break up the country:

Lapierre, 47, defended his spell with the sovereigntist Bloc in the early 1990s, saying it "was a difficult time for all Quebecers" because of the failure of the Meech Lake accord in June 1990.

He said the Bloc was a necessary but temporary tool after Meech Lake, which would have recognized Quebec as a distinct society.

Lapierre said he no longer felt comfortable with the party in August 1992 because he thought it had become a satellite of the Parti Quebecois.

Lapierre went on to say that, "The only man who could bring me back to politics is Paul Martin."

As I noted on Tuesday Lapierre's loyalty to Martin is the only constant in his political career. His party and the country have been secondary concerns. Personally, I'd be worried about a guy who puts so much stock in loyalty to one man.

Meanwhile other reports today indicate that Progressive Conservative MP John Herron of New Brunswick has been negotiating with Martin to join the Liberals. Herron has refused to join the new Conservative party and was planning on retiring from politics but is now being lured by the chance to actually be a member of the governing party.

Posted by Matthew @ 1:54 p.m.