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Andrew Scheer should not be running for party leadership

Andrew Scheer’s name on the CPC leader race ballot is a contempt of parliament at best
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Andrew Scheer should not be running for party leadership

Andrew Scheer’s name on the CPC leader race ballot is a contempt of parliament at best, switching directly to leader from Speaker and, with a family of five children under 10 years old, poor judgment at worst.

Despite the fact it was his choice to make, his haste to become leader is not entirely his fault. Andrew is backed by the remnant insiders of the failed Harper camp who for now, represent the party establishment. It’s a typical, self-serving move on their part to convince Andrew to run with their backing. A victory for Andrew will secure their own failed status quo power in the party hierarchy.

I’m willing to give Andrew the benefit of the doubt, that he was pressured into running by failed party insiders. I acknowledge he is an asset to the party and to caucus. Andrew has a bright political future.

I’m less forgiving however, if he had been plotting all along to run for leader at the next opportunity while sitting as Speaker of the House of Commons. I consider that contempt.

There is no precedent set by a Speaker to become leader and for good reason. It is customary (unlike the USA ) that the Speaker position *“is expected to be scrupulously non-partisan”. Acting as chair of the *Board of Internal Economy to oversee administration and finance of the House of Commons and maintaining decorum and rules of engagement in the Chamber.

Did Andrew have highly partisan ambitions while acting as Speaker presiding over the chamber? Was the Speaker plotting and planning his next move to become party leader at the next opportunity? Was the Speaker trying to be non-partisan by day while assembling a campaign team in clandestine fashion behind the PM’s back with disgruntled Harperites? I hope not, I really hope Andrew caved and decided to run out of pressure from failed party insiders, otherwise his integrity will be called into question. Creating greater distance between the two posts would have been a wiser choice for the long term.

The role of Speaker does little, by comparison of the other candidates, to bolster his thin layer of skill, education and work experience. An insurance salesman with a poli-sci degree and history major is missing something that only 20 more years of experience would fix. The Speaker position traditionally is isolated to the business of the House of Commons. Andrew did not attend caucus meetings or participate in chamber debate or committee work, or should not have.

Andrew may sound good but he does not have nearly the experience as most of his running mates when it comes to leading a ministry, developing and implementing government policy.

I think a young man like Andrew needs more experience and, with five children under 10, he should review his priorities to be closer to home in keeping with his social conservative values that he strongly represents.

*reference: http://www.lop.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/speakers/Hoc/index-e.htm

John Koury

Duncan