By Jen Ross, PoliticsWatch.com
First Web Posted: October 24, 2001 @ 5:30 pm
%2010-03-01%20copy.JPG) OTTAWA
- A majority of Canadian Alliance members back a move to co-operate with the
federal Tories, according to a member survey released today.
Roughly 58 per cent of respondents answered yes
when asked whether they wish the party to pursue further collaboration with the
federal Tories in time for the next election. The leadership race is already
underway, although no candidates have officially declared themselves, and
members will get a chance to choose their leader next March.
But Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day
appeared to remain skeptical about the chances for unity with the Tories.
''I believe in that form of unity, but I don't believe at unity in
any cost, means that we have to forsake our principles,'' he said in
a scrum after Question Period. ''Anytime Joe Clark has had the opportunity to
respond to our overtures, of course, he has turned it away. And that type of
response hasn't been helpful, but the majority of our members are still thinking
cooperation is possible.''
%2010-24-01.JPG) Alliance
dissidents, formerly known as members of the Democratic
Representative Caucus, rejoiced at the survey, which seemed to
confirm their moves to unite with the federal Tories this summer
into the PC-DR Coalition.
''This is what the constitutional anthem of the Alliance is, and
one of the strong principles is building a big broad coalition of
people who can work together to give people an alternative to the
Liberals,'' said PC-DR MP Deborah Grey. ''That's exactly what the
DR is doing, and we're actually following the constitution and now
it looks like there's support from the party membership for
that.''
She also made clear that Alliance
rebels like herself have no intention of running back to the
Alliance and abandoning the Tories. In fact, she suggested the
movement would go the other way and that the Tories would be open
to new members.
''I'm hoping that more Alliance
members are able to join in with us, with this bridge-building,
rather than fence-building exercise,'' said Grey.
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