OTTAWA (Staff) – The Reform party ended last week in disarray and turmoil with the resignation of one MP, suspension from caucus of two other MPs and Preston Manning’s leadership under question.
MPs from Western Canada’s largest political party were left reeling.
“It’s been the toughest week on me as an MP since the election,” said Moose Jaw Reformer Allan Kerpan. “It hasn’t been a lot of fun.”
At the start of the week Manning suspended two Reform MPs because of comments they made that were denounced as anti-gay.
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Then after Calgary MP Jan Brown was suspended for criticizing the level of extremism in the party, she resigned, saying there was no room for her moderate views in the party.
Reform caucus chair Ray Speaker confirmed Manning has a “democratic” style of caucus leadership. He said it has led some to conclude it is weak leadership but he does not agree.
The Lethbridge MP said Canadians should judge Reform on its “Blue Book” policies, rather than on individual MP views and statements.
“We as a Reform party are not extreme. We are not racist,” he said.
Speaker named four caucus members whom he called moderates, leading reporters to ask what the other 47 MPs are.
It was a week when many controversial statements were made.
During a May 7 House of Commons debate on legislation to protect Canadians from discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation”, many Reform MPs equated homosexuality with the spread of disease and the destruction of families, morals and nations.
Wars in Africa are the result of homosexuality and permissiveness that has eroded the family, said Manitoba Reform MP Jake Hoeppner. “Let us look at Liberia right now. Do we want that type of system? I do not.”
Through it all, Manning was fighting suggestions from outside and inside his party that his leadership is partly to blame. Some complained that he has not been strong enough in controlling his members while others complained that his new attempts at discipline violate Reform promises of independence.
“Mr. #Manning quite clearly on the leadership side has failed,” said Progressive Conservative party leader Jean Charest, as he watched from the sidelines while his main right wing rival struggled through its week of crisis.
