Respect, Not Fear or Anger -- CON/COM/NET D&D

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Subject: *!* Respect, Not Fear or Anger

Author:
Michael Watkins

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Date Posted: 17:31:12 05/08/03 Thu
Author Host/IP: a3hu7fzy193i.bc.hsia.telus.net/207.6.230.61

Treating People With Respect

Former PC MP Jim Jones' right to vote at the upcoming leadership election is being called into question. Should it be? No. Will it be? Probably.

The facts:

Yes, he left us.
Yes, he's an 'automatic' delegate.
Yes, he's pledged support for Mr. Prentice, the leadership candidate which I support whole heartedly.

Mr. Jones was elected as a Progressive Conservative and spent time in the House of Commons as a member of our caucus. Under the rules of the the leadership selection process, Mr. Jones is therefore entitled to vote as an automatic delegate.

The facts are straight forward, only emotion makes them seem less so. Mr. Jones move to the Alliance caucus in 2002 justifiably drew anger for many Tories. In fact, as a card-carrying member of the "301" club, I could have been the leader of a lynch mob myself. But lets not forget that Mr. Jones once took a courageous step on our behalf - in 1998 he ran for parliament as a PC. He was the only PC member elected in all of Ontario in that election. Whatever we make think of his decision in 2002, we do owe him respect.

I suppose my views on being open to work with others have evolved over time as increasingly I perceive our party to be stronger and well able to stand on its own two feet. I'm convinced that building walls of anger is something we must actively strive to avoid. In doing so, we will send a clear signal that we are strong and looking outward, as opposed to the inverse.

Lets also remember that most voters in Canada have supported other parties; to return to government, we will naturally treat them with respect and dignity. Lets do the same for Mr. Jones.

This party needs to be open to anyone that "wants to work with us". Our Leader, Joe Clark, is on the record many times saying just this. Why don't we try walking in those shoes and see if we can't set a positive example here.

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