Liberal Khan to cross floor to Tory backbench

August1991 · January 5, 2007

I am now reporting that Wajid Khan will join the Conservative ranks tomorrow as a backbench MP. Doing so protects Khan from cynicism of the press and opposition of making such a political move for career advancement, or for monetary considerations. Khan joins the Tories without taking a position in either cabinet or as a Parliamentary secretary.

Stephen Taylor

Two points. First, the Internet is increasingly scooping the MSM.

Second, this is an insurance vote for the Tories. There is now less likelihood of a federal election in 2007. I'm almost certain there won't be one.

Riverwind · January 5, 2007

Two points. First, the Internet is increasingly scooping the MSM.

That particular blog is no different than an annoucement on the official party website.

Catchme · January 5, 2007

Stephens Blog says, Khan may be announcing this tomorrow, as negotiations are still going on between the LIberals and Khan.

So, thoughts that it will happem might be a bit premature.

Shakeyhands · January 5, 2007

If this story is subsequently reported on television, radio, in a newspaper, or on an MSM website, please give proper citation to this blog.

http://www.stephentaylor.ca/archives/000764.html

Hilarious.

Ok, here I go:

I am now reporting that Stephen Harper will lose the next federal election to The Liberals witin the next 2 years - If this story is subsequently reported on television, radio, in a newspaper, or on an MSM website, please give proper citation to this post on this site.

Cool! i got the scoop!

I do hope a by election will be immediately forthcoming if this turns out to happen, which I have no doubt will.

Ricki Bobbi · January 5, 2007

Ok, here I go:
I am now reporting that Stephen Harper will lose the next federal election to The Liberals witin the next 2 years - If this story is subsequently reported on television, radio, in a newspaper, or on an MSM website, please give proper citation to this post on this site.

Cool! i got the scoop!

I do hope a by election will be immediately forthcoming if this turns out to happen, which I have no doubt will.

Alas Shakey the difference is Stephen Taylor identifies himself. While you launch your attacks safely behind the anonymity of your computer screen. Please get stuff that is even somewhat humourous.

Seems like Harper is making this move as a prelude to the deal on the environment with the NDP.

The way things stand the Conservatives and the NDP together have a majority of one in the House of Commons. By adding Khan they have a majority of two. The Conservatives saw what happened when one MP got picked off (cough cough Belinda) in such tight circumstances. Now two Dippers would have to change parties *at the same time* to stop a CPC-NDP coalition on the envronment.

Who's Doing What? · January 5, 2007

MP Wajid Khan told to pick a party by Dion
05/01/2007 8:40:35 AM

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has told Toronto-area MP Wajid Khan to choose between his party or the Conservatives as rumours intensify that he may cross the floor.

The Toronto Star reports that Dion has told Khan that he cannot go on serving as Prime Minister Stephen Harper's 'special adviser.'

Harper named Khan, a former fighter pilot in the Pakistani military, as his adviser on the Middle East and Afghanistan last summer.

Khan, an MP for Mississauga-Streetsville, did not deny rumours this week that he was being wooed by Conservatives.
He is set to meet with Dion by week's end to discuss his future.

http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/TopStorie...showbyline=True

stignasty · January 5, 2007

MP Wajid Khan is crossing the floor from the Liberal benches to join the Tory ranks, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced at a news conference Friday.

"I am proud to announce today that Wajid Khan, the member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville, is joining our Conservative caucus," Harper said Friday, Khan at his side.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/01/05/...ect-070105.html

jdobbin · January 5, 2007

Two points. First, the Internet is increasingly scooping the MSM.
Second, this is an insurance vote for the Tories. There is now less likelihood of a federal election in 2007. I'm almost certain there won't be one.

Speculation surrounded Khan for quite some time. This is hardly a scoop.

On the same day blogging Tories reported:

Susan Delacourt, "Questions mount over MP Khan", Toronto Star, 4 January 2007, A6.

Robert Benzie, Allan Woods and Susan Delacourt, "Harper is giving Baird the environment portfolio to replace faltering Ambrose, sources say", Toronto Star, 4 January 2007, A1.

Ricki Bobbi · January 5, 2007

Stephens Blog says, Khan may be announcing this tomorrow, as negotiations are still going on between the LIberals and Khan.
So, thoughts that it will happem might be a bit premature.

Not so premature to have thoughts about it, given it did happen nine hours after your post...

Drea · January 5, 2007

Why that........WHORE!

:lol:

Ricki Bobbi · January 5, 2007

Why that........WHORE!

It takes one to know one! :lol:

Seriously though, I think Harper made a very big point by not giving Khan a Ministerial or Parliamentary Secretary posting. Although if he can win in Mississauga as a Conservative he'll deserve one after the next election.

Shakeyhands · January 5, 2007

Ok, here I go:
.........

I do hope a by election will be immediately forthcoming if this turns out to happen, which I have no doubt will.

Alas Shakey the difference is Stephen Taylor identifies himself. While you launch your attacks safely behind the anonymity of your computer screen. Please get stuff that is even somewhat humourous.

What????? Well I thought it was funny, and hardly an attack. Me thinks you need to go out and have "relations" or something and relax a bit there RB.

Ricki Bobbi · January 5, 2007

What????? Well I thought it was funny, and hardly an attack. Me thinks you need to go out and have "relations" or something and relax a bit there RB.

Still not very funny....

Shakeyhands · January 5, 2007

rilly?

Is there a need for a by-election here?

Saturn · January 5, 2007

Wonder what happened to having by-elections when MPs decide to cross the floor. Oh, ya, I guess that went down the drain along with a thousand other Conservative election promisses when Emerson crossed. But is it much of a surprise that Liberals switch to the Conservatives and vice-versa given that there is hardly any difference between the two?

mikedavid00 · January 5, 2007

Speculation surrounded Khan for quite some time. This is hardly a scoop.

Well muslims called up the radio station angry this morning at Khan for doing this. But they should understand that the reason they are in Canada is to snatch oppertunity for self gain. That's all Khan is interested in.

When I heard that Khan was going to advise Harper I knew instantly what Harper was up to. I dind't think however that Dion was going to push Khan out the way he did.

I highly recommend people listen to http://640toronto.com/shared/player/?id=cfmjam right now for the real inside scoop. i'll post more on this later.

stignasty · January 5, 2007

While you launch your attacks safely behind the anonymity of your computer screen.

There's your favourite phrase again. Is that supposed to intimidate people? Are you not also posting behind the anonymity of your computer screen?

But is it much of a surprise that Liberals switch to the Conservatives and vice-versa given that there is hardly any difference between the two?

Meet the new boss, he's the same as the old boss.

When I heard that Khan was going to advise Harper I knew instantly what Harper was up to. I dind't think however that Dion was going to push Khan out the way he did.

I think this was a real mistake by Dion and the Liberals. It looks like they expected Khan to toe the line, instead he jumped right over it. So far over, it took him to the other side of the house.

mikedavid00 · January 5, 2007

I think this was a real mistake by Dion and the Liberals. It looks like they expected Khan to toe the line, instead he jumped right over it. So far over, it took him to the other side of the house.

Dion doesn't anderstand immigrants. He's in is far french culture and through that he could push these guys around.

Supposedly Khan said that he heard about this through the media and Dion didn't even speak to him about this directly. This is so 'high cast French elite' style of Dion. Dion doesn't understand Canada or immigrants. Khan has been in power 11 months and already he's jumping ship. Harper understand immigrants and their above average oppertunistic nature. It was almost too easy for Harper to get this guy over. Dion just doesn't have the political saavy to deal with these situations. All Dion has is the CBC and life Liberals. The immigrants? We'll see about that next election.

Few here know the mindset of immigrants. They will interpret this as 'Dion is bad to immigrants. He doesn't represent us.' Now we have an immigrant, dual citizen of Pakistan in the Conservative party. He won my riding by a large margin. I don't know if he'll get in power again. It depends who he runs against in the Liberal party.

This is a VERY positive sign for the CPC and gaining some sort of immigrant credibility. It's the only way the CPC will ever see a majority and this is a positive step. Harper needs to focus on bringing in immigrant sponsored relatives in 3 months. This will win him a majority.

Ricki Bobbi · January 5, 2007

While you launch your attacks safely behind the anonymity of your computer screen.

There's your favourite phrase again. Is that supposed to intimidate people? Are you not also posting behind the anonymity of your computer screen?

Stephen Taylor wasn't. Nice selective cut and paste on my post.

But is it much of a surprise that Liberals switch to the Conservatives and vice-versa given that there is hardly any difference between the two?

Meet the new boss, he's the same as the old boss.

Scott Brison crossed to become a Parliamentary Secretary. Belinda crossed to become a Cabinet Minister. Wajid Khan crossed to sit in the backbenches. A signficant difference.

I think this was a real mistake by Dion and the Liberals. It looks like they expected Khan to toe the line, instead he jumped right over it. So far over, it took him to the other side of the house.

We agree on that one at least. Although I think Dion's push was more of the "you can't quit you are fired" variety...

Slavik44 · January 5, 2007

I think some of the events surrounding this whole situation point to one of the greatest, if not the greatest problem in Canadian politics and perhaps in western politics itself. The question should never have been who Kahn should serve, the conservatives or the Liberals. But that is how people see this decision. I believe that people are elected to parliment to serve Canadians, to do what is best for Canadians. This is a case however where the leader of the Liberal party asked Kahn to do what is best for the Liberals. MP's have a very important task, sometimes that task may be to fill government positions, sometimes that task may be to act as an oppossition to government, sometimes to hold the government accountable, and other times to advise the government. And if an individual sees himself as being able to advise the government and that such a role is the primary way he can serve Canadians then thats what he should be doing. If it somehow offends the party, then it is the party that is in the wrong, not the person.

I would also like to touch on this whole Kahn did it because he is an immigrant and is only interested in self gain. Believe it or not humans in general are interested in self gain...we have a whole economic system based on the principle of self-interest...and you know what...its the best one we have had so far. Yes Kahn may have been self interested...but I am having trouble finding someone who is not somewhat self interested, its a bit of an erronous arguement to sorta point out it is the nature of immigrants to be self interested....when in reality it is basicallly the nature of humans to be self interested. If you can find such a person who is not than introduce me...maybe we can all sit around a fire with santa claus and drink from the fountain of youth.

mikedavid00 · January 5, 2007

I believe that people are elected to parliment to serve Canadians, to do what is best for Canadians. This is a case however where the leader of the Liberal party asked Kahn to do what is best for the Liberals.

Great line!

I'll use that in my sig =)

mikedavid00 · January 5, 2007

MP's have a very important task, sometimes that task may be to fill government positions, sometimes that task may be to act as an oppossition to government, sometimes to hold the government accountable, and other times to advise the government.

While this is true, it's not reality anymore. We do not live in Europe where this exists. In Canada, we have learned how to exploit our age old parlimentary system to gain power. This is not prevelant in the US. Parliment works if our polticians act in valor and honour to govern for the people. This is no longer the case in Canada since Tredeau messed up the country.

Believe it or not humans in general are interested in self gain...

I said that they have more than average interest in self gain than Canadians. After all, they DID leave their country to come here didn't they? I know plenty in India that would never leave their countries because it's there 'home'. They love it there, are proud, and would never leave. Same with Korea.

Then there are a small sect of people who are interested in self gain. Those people file applications to come to Canada. My old friend got married to a girl from India a couple years back. The family had an easy way into Canada. Even after visiting they refused to come here becuase India is there 'home'. They have a pride for their country and love living there. When people leave from Asia or Korea they are considered 'traitors'.

we have a whole economic system based on the principle of self-interest...

Same with any other country. I would wager that in 3rd world countries (where we get most of its' immigrants), the economy is ever MORE self serving. This isn't just Canada.

when in reality it is basicallly the nature of humans to be self interested.

To certain extents. Some people are more self interested than others. Out of all the Lib's here on the forum, I would say that I am the LEAST self interested of the bunch. I care about my fellow Canadian and it hurts to see them lose jobs to people who arrive from outside the country. Those people have their dreams come true, the Canadian who has graduated, is undermployed, or who would have loved the opertunity now loses his chance. This upsets me. This is why I beat on this drum.

If you can find such a person who is not than introduce me...maybe we can all sit around a fire with santa claus and drink from the fountain of youth.

Everyone is self serviing. But you seem to be favoring Khan due tot political bias.

While I do support the CPC, I do not support a non democratic move from one party to another. Khan is the elected person in MY riding. My immigrant, muslim riding has voted for liberal. Now my riding is CPC. The PEOPLE of streetsville mississauga did not elect the CPC to represent them.

Thus, this is non democratic and shows disfunction in our political system.

I'm sure Khan will be voted out anyhow providing the Liberals provide a Muslim in place of Khan.

Of course, Khan, another Muslim for the Liberals, Iraq, Afganistan, and what Khan was saying on his radio interviews today about international policy is NOT in interest at all to me as a Canadian or Canadians as a whole. His mind is elsewhere in the Islamic world, NOT Canada.

I'd actually prefer it if he went back to Pakistan and let someone who represents Canadians be in my choice of riding.

Thus, I'm not voting. Why should I? The Liberals are going to win anyway.

HOWEVER, I must say that I do strongly support a CPC majority and this is a positive step towards showing immigrants that Dion is 'bad to immigrants'.

Unfortunately, the CBC won't report this.

"Imam says 'Harper is bad to Immigrants'" - CBC headline that would have been had the tabels been turned.

stignasty · January 5, 2007

Unfortunately, the CBC won't report this.
"Imam says 'Harper is bad to Immigrants'" - CBC headline that would have been had the tabels been turned.

If the CBC is as bad as you say they are you wouldn't have to make up headlines.

Slavik44 · January 5, 2007

Everyone is self serviing. But you seem to be favoring Khan due tot political bias.

Given that I am not a CPC and don't even know if I will vote CPC I wouldn't say I am supporting Kahn because he flipped to the CPC. My true political Bias is that often cases toeing the party line for nothing more than the sake of the party is often detrimental to Canadians. In that sense I might be supporting Kahn due to my bias against being a party robot.

While I do support the CPC, I do not support a non democratic move from one party to another. Khan is the elected person in MY riding. My immigrant, muslim riding has voted for liberal. Now my riding is CPC. The PEOPLE of streetsville mississauga did not elect the CPC to represent them.

But they did elect Kahn, albeit as a member of the Liberal party. However, both Canadians and political parties need top embrace a certain level of co-operation and I cannot neccessarily blame Kahn for making the decision he did given that it was either that or end his co-operation. Whne it seems justifiable to suggest that he was fullfilling a role that was important to the Canadian political process. I think that role is more important then his role as a party hack.

Thus, this is non democratic and shows disfunction in our political system.

Our political system is certainly disfunctional, I think however it is very disfunctional that a person was asked to cease co-operating, to basically cease being functional or to be less functional to Canadians. I do not see how that neccessarily benifiets the system. I also don't believe that discouraging floor crossing makes the system more democratic. Because underneth it all is the implication that towing the party line is the primary duty of MP's and that would be a far more un-democratic message, a far more detrimental message.

Topaz · January 6, 2007

As a voter, I would be very angry with the member who represented me and then decided to cross the floor. I think there should be a law brought in, that if a member decides he has to leave, then he/she should go as a independent until an election is called and then he/she can change parties. By Khan joining the Cons, his interest lies in being on what he thinks is the winning side. IF he wants to be able to advise the PM, then he can do it from being an independent!