Old style politics

Re: Adams played loyal Conservative during hushed talks with Liberals, Feb. 9

Never trust a politician offering “new politics” or to “do politics differently.”

That’s a major part of the appeal of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau (mostly because he refuses to give any policy reasons to support him). He’s put a lot of stock in Canadians desire for hope, change and optimism (because it seemed to work very well for Jack Layton). Even the new Liberal party slogan (“Hope and Hard Work”) suggests that Trudeau would put the interest of Canadians over political gain.

But the process of reeling in former Conservative MP Eve Adams is anything but doing politics differently. In fact, it’s a direct betrayal of the principles that Trudeau sought to personify upon taking the Liberal leadership. He promised open, fair nominations and a more accountable, transparent party (and in turn government). The embrace of Adams throws all of that into doubt. It’s unclear how far Liberals will stick their neck out for her, but past history would suggest that they will give her all the support she needs to win a nomination and subsequently win her seat of choice. Just ask Christine Innes.

This story sounds all too familiar. The dirty tricks to win her previous nomination and the secret, behind-closeddoors negotiations smells of the cigar smoking, scotch sipping days of old politics. While the gas station temper tantrums, personal vendettas and gossip surrounding a powerful couple sounds eerily like a script for a soap opera. And I have too much respect for politics, politicians and the political process to sit by and let it become a soap opera. Sean Leamen, Ottawa