Tory attackers muzzled in House of Commons

[jdobbin]

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/200...732941-sun.html

Speaker Peter Milliken cut off Tory MPs three times yesterday as they began taking shots at Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff during member statements.

Milliken had already warned members that he was fed up with the proliferation of personal attacks in their statements ahead of the daily question period.

While all parties take pot-shots occasionally, the Conservatives have long been systematically attacking the Liberal leader in their statements.

Milliken told members that the Commons rules preclude using the statements to attack opponents.

Private members statements have only really been used like this since Harper took office. It was attempt to get a zinger in just before Question Period to try and shake Dion.

Now hyperpartisan Tories are using it to generally disrupt the House so they can say it is dysfunctional and that government doesn't work.

Well, Parliament does work. The Speaker can cut off the potshots in this area and angry Tory MPs have to comply or find themselves evicted for breaking the rules.

Edited March 14, 2009 by jdobbin

[Wild Bill]

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/200...732941-sun.html

Private members statements have only really been used like this since Harper took office. It was attempt to get a zinger in just before Question Period to try and shake Dion.

Now hyperpartisan Tories are using it to generally disrupt the House so they can say it is dysfunctional and that government doesn't work.

Well, Parliament does work. The Speaker can cut off the potshots in this area and angry Tory MPs have to comply or find themselves evicted for breaking the rules.

Jdobbin, have you forgotten the 'Rat Pack'? Have Sheila Copps and John Nunziata gone 'down the memory hole'?

I agree that it seems to be rude on the part of the Torys and perhaps uncalled for but to suggest that '... only really been used like this since Harper took office...' is kind of a stretch.

[waldo]

and... these Harper Conservative shenanigans don't need the protection umbrella of Parliamentary privilege - certainly, anything the Harper crew wants to say inside the House will be/can be said outside the House... certainly, obviously, definitely - twits!

[Topaz]

and... these Harper Conservative shenanigans don't need the protection umbrella of Parliamentary privilege - certainly, anything the Harper crew wants to say inside the House will be/can be said outside the House... certainly, obviously, definitely - twits!

Personal attacks are not aloud in opening statements, this time is for the MP's to talk about what is happening in their ridings, to proaise someone in their ridings etc. Even the Tory Friday said the Tories should reread the rules of Parliament.

[jdobbin]

Jdobbin, have you forgotten the 'Rat Pack'? Have Sheila Copps and John Nunziata gone 'down the memory hole'?

Have you forgotten that the Rat Pack didn't get the Liberals back into government?

I agree that it seems to be rude on the part of the Torys and perhaps uncalled for but to suggest that '... only really been used like this since Harper took office...' is kind of a stretch.

It has not been used during Member's Statements. That is brand new and the Tories own that one completely.

[Molly]

Finding new ways to be offensive is the usual for them.

Those who already have their stomachs turning in disgust will continue to be dismayed. The Conservative faithful will insist that it's brilliant politics on their part, and skullduggery on the part of anyone who asks them to clean it up a little.

(Should one blame a scorpion for acting like a scorpion?)

[Alta4ever]

listen to tthe liberals cry...they don't like getting in return what they dish...suck it up

[jdobbin]

listen to tthe liberals cry...they don't like getting in return what they dish...suck it up

Play by the rules in place or get the smack down. Suck it up.

[85RZ500]

Don't forget that ol' Petey is a Liberal, probably tired of seeing his beloved party rightfully getting a payback.

In all fairness, over the years there's been a lot of bitter pills going back and forth, it's the nature of the beast.

But after all the garbage the Libs pulled off they deserve what they get, and more.

[jdobbin]

But after all the garbage the Libs pulled off they deserve what they get, and more.

So once again another advocate for breaking the rules that have been in place since 1983 on Member Statements.

The Tories want to make Parliament ineffective because that is their goal.

[Topaz]

listen to tthe liberals cry...they don't like getting in return what they dish...suck it up

That`s not true and ALL 3 of the opposition parties are complaining about the personal attacks in the opening statements! I just wondering about the voters who keep putting the Tories back in, are they as nasty as the guys they elect????

[blueblood]

What a pointless and irrelevant thread. The only thing hyperpartisan going on is creating this thread. Every party talks trash in the HOC. Next issue.

[jdobbin]

What a pointless and irrelevant thread. The only thing hyperpartisan going on is creating this thread. Every party talks trash in the HOC. Next issue.

Actually, the trash talk in Member's Statements is new and *is* the issue. Tories are angry that they can no longer break this rule.

[blueblood]

Actually, the trash talk in Member's Statements is new and *is* the issue. Tories are angry that they can no longer break this rule.

I think the typical voter could care less about trash talk in the HOC if there are bigger fish to fry like, oh I don't know, the economy...

[jdobbin]

I think the typical voter could care less about trash talk in the HOC if there are bigger fish to fry like, oh I don't know, the economy...

Which the Tories want to divert from with their attacks in the House of Commons and at right wing meetings where they blame everyone but themselves for the deficit and overspending.

[Oleg Bach]

Which the Tories want to divert from with their attacks in the House of Commons and at right wing meetings where they blame everyone but themselves for the deficit and overspending.

Conservatives gag liberals at the high end of the system and liberals gag everyone else lower down the food chain with their horrific and oppressive political correctness - where a person dare not speak his mind for fear of persecution by the liberal faction...I say let the Tories gag the heck out of all the liberals in Parliment - let them feel what it's like to stiffle free speech>

[Progressive Tory]

The Tories want to make Parliament ineffective because that is their goal.

As Prime Minister, Harper is supposed to try to make Parliament work and when he can't, preferring childish behavour; the Speaker of the House must step in. If he didn't he'd be criticized for not trying to enforce the rules.

I'm glad that Michael Ignatieff is not taking the bait, though how do you argue with the mathematical wizard Stocky, or windbag Baird? They make themselves look foolish, without help from anyone. You can smell the desperation. It's all they have left.

Edited March 16, 2009 by Progressive Tory

[Progressive Tory]

Conservatives gag liberals at the high end of the system and liberals gag everyone else lower down the food chain

Actually the Bloc and NDP are just as concerned about intolerance. Why do you credit the Liberals as being the only party who care about humanity? Any religion or individual who needs to use 'free speech' to wave signs like 'God hates Fags' or 'When a queer dies God smiles'; could use a little political correctness.

I won't call them 'Right-Wing Nutjob Devil Worshippers'. Instead to me they're just 'Christianly Challenged'.