(PoliticsWatch
posted June 19, 2003) Conservative Leader Peter MacKay said he is open to discussions "soon" with Alliance Leader Stephen Harper on building closer ties with the party before the next federal election.
In a speech to the Confederation Club, his first address as Tory Leader, MacKay revealed that he has had "several" conversations with Harper since being chosen leader and offered an olive branch to the Official Opposition.
"Mr. Harper has put forward his proposed solution to the challenge of vote splitting in certain ridings," he said. "Neither I, nor anyone else, have seen the details of what he has proposed. But I'll say this: I'm open and I'm interested."
MacKay's statement of openness and interest with the Alliance has pleased some Tories, Alliance MPs and David Orchard's campaign manager.
In a telephone interview with Politicswatch.com, David Orchard's campaign manager, Marjaleena Repo, said there was "nothing surprising" with MacKay saying he was open to talking with the Alliance. However, she said an electoral coalition with the Alliance in individual ridings would go against the 301-rule and is "out the window."
Party members developed the 301-rule at a policy convention in Edmonton last year. It pledges to run candidates in all 301 federal ridings. One option the Alliance had considered would have the two conservative parties not run against each other in select ridings.
Also, MacKay's support of the 301-rule was one of the items in the agreement he reached with David Orchard to gain the delegate support needed to win the leadership convention in Toronto last month.
"The party has made (their opposition to 301) really clear and David Orchard really just puts an emphasis on that," said Repo.
In a press release, Alliance Leader Stephen Harper said, "I am very encouraged by Peter's remarks today and his openness to discussing a 'common cause.' I look forward to exploring this idea further with Peter in the future."
MacKay said that before any election strategy can be made, the two parties must find "a common cause and common goals and establish trust." And he emphasized that he's not going to negotiate with Mr. Harper through the media.
"I don't think that's been productive for us in the past," he explained to reporters later. "I don't think that builds trust or common goals. I think that it leads to sometimes inflammatory and provocative remarks and I'm not going to go there."
MacKay used his strategy not to negotiate through the media as a way to deflect reporters' questions about how he and the Alliance would negotiate a pre-election strategy when the Conservatives are keeping their 301-rule in effect.
"As far as 301 goes, the party will ultimately have its say," MacKay said.
Alliance MP Chuck Strahl said MacKay's comments suggesting that he was open and interested in talking to Harper were "very encouraging."
However, he said the 301-rule "puzzles people" who want to unite the right in Canada.
However, all is not lost. Strahl described one scenario in which MacKay could meet the 301-rule and satisfy the Alliance. That would involve a joint Alliance-Tory nomination meeting being held at the riding level and MacKay then considering the winner the Conservative candidate for that riding.
"There's only person that can sign the nomination papers for the Progressive Conservatives going into the next election and that's Peter," he said.
Senator David Tkachuk is a Tory who is supportive of uniting the right and who was in attendance at MacKay's speech. He said it was essential to "provide a home for all conservatives."
"There's no reason why we can't run under one party banner in the next election," he said.
Check out these related links:
Notes for an address by Peter MacKay, M.P. to the Confederation Club
Scott Brison appointed as Policy Chair
MacKay names Jolette National Director
Peter
Mackay 2003
Orchard,
David
Progressive
Conservative Party of Canada
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