Peter Milliken retains position as House Speaker

[jdobbin]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Liberal MP Peter Milliken has once again been elected as Speaker of the House, beating out seven other candidates after five ballots of secret voting.

Following tradition, Milliken pretended to struggle as he was dragged to his seat by two MPs -- Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who grinned as they each took hold of an arm.

Some Tories really wanted Milliken gone because they believed he would quit politics if he didn't serve as Speaker. Many covet his seat in the House.

[Mr.Canada]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Some Tories really wanted Milliken gone because they believed he would quit politics if he didn't serve as Speaker. Many covet his seat in the House.

No they didn't. That is a blatant lie jdobbin. Milliken is a Liberal and that is one less Liberal vote in the house. Milliken is well respected in the House as he is very fair. He's been the speaker for a very long time.

[jdobbin]

No they didn't. That is a blatant lie jdobbin. Milliken is a Liberal and that is one less Liberal vote in the house. Milliken is well respected in the House as he is very fair. He's been the speaker for a very long time.

Actually, it is the truth and it has been mentioned by a few Tories in the last days about how they would like to oust Milliken. He has stated he would probably leave politics if he wasn't speaker and the Tories think they can win his seat if he doesn't fun again.

Check out the stories in the Globe and the Post if you don't believe it. The story was reported by Canwest's David Akin.

Milliken felt it was necessary to say he would not resign as MP if he lost because of the story.

Edited November 18, 2008 by jdobbin

[Mr.Canada]

Actually, it is the truth and it has been mentioned by a few Tories in the last days about how they would like to oust Milliken. He has stated he would probably leave politics if he wasn't speaker and the Tories think they can win his seat if he doesn't fun again.

Check out the stories in the Globe and the Post if you don't believe it. The story was reported by Canwest's David Akin.

Milliken felt it was necessary to say he would not resign as MP if he lost because of the story.

Ah I see what you're saying. Sorry for calling you a liar then hehe. Well ya can't please all the people all the time. He is well respected by all sides though. I like him and I'm a CPC member. He being the speaker gives the CPC another vote.

[noahbody]

Some Tories really wanted Milliken gone

Actually, it is the truth and it has been mentioned by a few Tories

Are you sure it wasn't a couple? Or one?

[Topaz]

I find if such as farce that members were saying that the present speaker isn't forceful enough at certain times when things get out of hand! Even though they act worse than 4 years old, they ARE adults and know what is right and what is wrong in a member of Parliament and how one should act! It's so easy to blame someone else for ones behaviour!

[jdobbin]

Are you sure it wasn't a couple? Or one?

David Aiken mentioned a few Tories in the National Post story. On Sunday's CTV Sunday talk show there mention a number of times how the Tories felt Milliken's seat was vulnerable if he quit because of losing as speaker.

[Sir Bandelot]

Kingston has been Liberal for a long long time. I'm not even sure how many votes Peter Milliken got, since I didn't vote this time. I think the name of the CPC guy here is Abrahms. This is a military town, so I suppose its possible that it might go conservative.

In any case the day must come eventually when he will retire, so they would be wise to start grooming a new person to step in.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Sir Bandelot

[noahbody]

David Aiken mentioned a few Tories in the National Post story. On Sunday's CTV Sunday talk show there mention a number of times how the Tories felt Milliken's seat was vulnerable if he quit because of losing as speaker.

Well not exactly. Aiken mentioned "some Tories" but he wasn't making a factual statement. He was relaying a conspiracy theory.

If asked, I wouldn't expect a Tory, NDP or Green Party member to say Milliken's seat is a lock for the Liberals, would you?

[jdobbin]

Well not exactly. Aiken mentioned "some Tories" but he wasn't making a factual statement. He was relaying a conspiracy theory.

Is it a conspiracy? I think that it is clear that the Tories want the seat and figure it would be easier if there was not an incumbent.

Milliken himself felt compelled to say he would not quit if he lost as Speaker which probably took the steam out of the plans to oust him.

If asked, I wouldn't expect a Tory, NDP or Green Party member to say Milliken's seat is a lock for the Liberals, would you?

Certainly not. However, I think it is naive to think that the Tories didn't have eyes on Milliken's seat in terms of trying to defeat him as Speaker.

As I said, those plans probably were thwarted by the fact that Milliken said he would stay on.

[noahbody]

Is it a conspiracy? I think that it is clear that the Tories want the seat and figure it would be easier if there was not an incumbent.

Now, here's an interesting little conspiracy theory advanced to me this afternoon by a smart and enthusiastic Hill staffer:

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/f...r-milliken.aspx

Milliken himself felt compelled to say he would not quit if he lost as Speaker which probably took the steam out of the plans to oust him.

Yes, Milliken foiled the plans of those dastardly Conservatives by saying he'd stay on as MP, a job he ran for over a month ago.

Certainly not. However, I think it is naive to think that the Tories didn't have eyes on Milliken's seat in terms of trying to defeat him as Speaker.

I'd say you're naive for believing the Tories really care that much about Milliken's seat.

As I said, those plans probably were thwarted by the fact that Milliken said he would stay on.[/quote

Or maybe they just think he's doing a good job.

[jdobbin]

I'd say you're naive for believing the Tories really care that much about Milliken's seat.

In a minority government they care about every seat.

Or maybe they just think he's doing a good job.

Really. They certainly didn't have any Tories willing to say so.

Edited November 19, 2008 by jdobbin

[Kenny]

Peter Milliken is the best politician Canada has.

[Mr.Canada]

Peter Milliken is the best politician Canada has.

He's a good one for sure. If more of the Liberal party were of his ilk I'd strongly consider voting for them. If I was in his riding I'd most likely vote for him.