Western Producer staff
Reform Party leaders seem to figure that in Western Canada, the countryside is ablaze with anger over the fact that Reformers are not considered the Official Opposition in Parliament.
In fact, they are so certain of this that Reformers have been waging a ferocious political battle to win the coveted status as “government-in-waiting.”
They have argued their case in the Commons, lobbied Speaker Gib Parent in his riding and tried to stir up the party troops in outrage against the prospect of the separatist Bloc QuŽbecois being designated Official Opposition.
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Last week, when Parent decided he would not acquiesce to Reform demands, veteran Alberta MP Deborah Grey intoned: “Canadians are going to be some kind of upset.”
It was part of Reform’s attempt to insinuate that anyone who doesn’t agree with them on this issue, including the governing Liberals, are supporting the separatists.
But why should Canadians be “some kind of upset’?
Why should Canadians, outside of Reform partisans who work on or within sight of Parliament Hill, spend much time worrying about this?
It may be grating to most Canadians that the “Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition” is a demagogue who is “disloyal” to the concept of Canada.
But in the real world (if politics and Parliament ever can be so described), it matters little.
Reform MPs already have plenty of opportunity to speak, to organize, to try to set the agenda. Other than several hundred thousand dollars in new research money, a bit of Parliament Hill prestige and parliamentary seats closer to the prime minister, it would matter not.
In rejecting Reform pressure to bend the rules in their favor, Parent merely followed the tradition that the voters choose the Opposition, not the Speaker.
In effect, he told Reformers that if they can convince voters to send enough Reform MPs to Parliament to make them the second largest group, they will be Official Opposition.
In 1993, Quebec voters sent more BQ MPs to the House than western voters sent Reformers. Now, because of resignations, they are tied at 52 MPs each.
At the end of the month, six empty seats will be filled in byelections.
That is when Reform gets its chance to become Official Opposition. That’s as it should be.
Reform House leader Ray Speaker has suggested intent and loyalty should be factors in deciding who is Opposition leader.
Reform is ready to form government and the BQ is not. Reform wants to preserve Canada and the BQ does not. Reform has MPs from five provinces and the BQ represents one.
Parent wisely rejected the invitation to look behind MPs to decide which is more worthy, which voters’ ballots should be given more weight and credibility than others.
Reform, in it present status as Third Party, is well positioned to pursue its agenda.
It should get on with it and quit playing the Ottawa Game, worrying about its Parliament Hill status.
