Stephen Harper's Conservatives are not to be trusted, says David Orchard, the Saskatchewan farmer who insists he was betrayed by Harper and Tory MP Peter MacKay when Canada's two right-wing parties merged in 2003.
Orchard, a one-time candidate to lead the now-defunct Progressive Conservative party, lashed out at the newly elected government Tuesday as a judge finally put an end to his longstanding feud with the Conservative Party of Canada over campaign donations.
The judge ruled that Orchard cannot seek further litigation regarding donations against the party as part of a settlement that returns to him nearly $70,000 in funds raised during his leadership bid.
Orchard said the federal Conservatives are in no position to talk about ethics since MacKay reneged on his promise that he would not merge the Canadian Alliance party with the PCs in 2003.
He said the Tories had no authority to criticize the outgoing Liberals of corruption and deal-breaking during the federal election campaign.
"They were the ones that were campaigning across the country. . . pointing the finger at the other side saying, 'There's corruption on the other side and they're not trustworthy, they break their deals,' " Orchard said outside court.
"Mr. MacKay blatantly broke a written agreement with me, and the party seized $70,000 of my funds, and so I'm saying they're in no position to be lecturing the rest of the political spectrum in Canada about ethics."
We've seen how pathetic some politicians get when they keep seeking office well past their prime and trying to get public attention for their eccentric pet projects. Paul Hellyer is perhaps the most obvious example, Heward Grafftey and Sinclair Stevens somewhat less so.
David Orchard's descent into fringe laughingstock status has been much quicker and shorter, since he was never really a serious political figure to begin with.
He'll still be ranting about the merger and his struggle to get back his $70,000 on his deathbed.
Source: Yahoo
3 comments:
Hello! I'm a Green Party supporter, and I couldn't help but notice your post about Orchard.
I never could quite figure him out. He always seemed rather "left" in his beliefs - a red, if not pink, Tory.
Just what bound him with the rest of the PCs? The only "conservatism" I saw in him was some of the original traits of the earliest face of conservatvism - many of which have long been relegated by neo-conservatism.
A rather eccentric fellow, wasn't he? I couldn't help but think he was so close (yet so far) from making a real name for himself in Canadian politics. It's actually rather sad what he's become - but you can't help but agree that he was stabbed in the back by MacKay and the rest of the PCs.
Ah well!
-604 Plonker
http://ididntgetwhereiamtoday.blogspot.com/
In my opinion, Orchard was the one who betrayed all Conservatives by not joining the voice of millions in calling for a merged right. Something this country needed more than anything. Peter McKay made a huge sacrifice knowing his decision that day would haunt him forever in his political career.
But to some, like me, it was a sacrifice that gave us such respect for him and what he gave up for his beliefs and his country.
It was beyond egos, and Mr. Orchard still does not understand that. His sour grapes now are a testament to his poor judgement of what Canadians wanted.
As for his career, he should run for the Liberal leadership. He would fit right in.
David who? Of Course he's still relevant!
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