ylc prez richard diamond to back brison
Young Liberals prez backing Scott Brison for party leadership
(Liberal-Leadership)
Source: The Canadian Press
Mar 23, 2006 14:33
By Jennifer Ditchburn
OTTAWA (CP) The president of the Young Liberals of Canada is throwing his support behind MP Scott Brison for the leadership of the party.
Richard Diamond said he met with most of the prospective candidates and decided to back the former public works minister and former Tory.
"He's always demonstrated that he's bright, capable and energetic, and I think he speaks to a generational change that is really need right now if we are to appeal to young voters,'' Diamond said.
Diamond's support is significant because the Young Liberals make up a strong voting bloc during leadership conventions. About one-third of all delegates come from student clubs across the country.
Diamond said he would lobby fellow young Liberals to support Brison, but his endorsement doesn't automatically signal the backing of other members.
Former prime minister Paul Martin's team was very adept at securing the vote of young Liberals, many of whom ended up working with him on Parliament Hill. But his team was also criticized for setting up "paper clubs'' on university campuses clubs that only existed to send voting delegates to the convention.
Brison, and potential competitors Belinda Stronach and Ken Dryden will be trying to woo other young Liberals this weekend in Ottawa during the youth wing's executive meeting.
Diamond said Brison's relatively short history with the Liberals should not be a deterrent. Brison was a Progressive Conservative MP until 2003.
"His vision is much more Liberal than many members of our own caucus,'' Diamond said.
"In the time that he has been a member, he had demonstrated the he is a true liberal. He believes in prosperity and that should be balanced with a social conscience and a progressive social agenda.''
Brison has yet to formally announce he is running for the leadership. To date, only businesswoman Martha Hall Findlay and MP John Godfrey have revealed their intentions.
Liberals will choose their leader on the weekend of Dec. 2-3.
INDEX: POLITICS
(c) 2005 The Canadian Press
(Liberal-Leadership)
Source: The Canadian Press
Mar 23, 2006 14:33
By Jennifer Ditchburn
OTTAWA (CP) The president of the Young Liberals of Canada is throwing his support behind MP Scott Brison for the leadership of the party.
Richard Diamond said he met with most of the prospective candidates and decided to back the former public works minister and former Tory.
"He's always demonstrated that he's bright, capable and energetic, and I think he speaks to a generational change that is really need right now if we are to appeal to young voters,'' Diamond said.
Diamond's support is significant because the Young Liberals make up a strong voting bloc during leadership conventions. About one-third of all delegates come from student clubs across the country.
Diamond said he would lobby fellow young Liberals to support Brison, but his endorsement doesn't automatically signal the backing of other members.
Former prime minister Paul Martin's team was very adept at securing the vote of young Liberals, many of whom ended up working with him on Parliament Hill. But his team was also criticized for setting up "paper clubs'' on university campuses clubs that only existed to send voting delegates to the convention.
Brison, and potential competitors Belinda Stronach and Ken Dryden will be trying to woo other young Liberals this weekend in Ottawa during the youth wing's executive meeting.
Diamond said Brison's relatively short history with the Liberals should not be a deterrent. Brison was a Progressive Conservative MP until 2003.
"His vision is much more Liberal than many members of our own caucus,'' Diamond said.
"In the time that he has been a member, he had demonstrated the he is a true liberal. He believes in prosperity and that should be balanced with a social conscience and a progressive social agenda.''
Brison has yet to formally announce he is running for the leadership. To date, only businesswoman Martha Hall Findlay and MP John Godfrey have revealed their intentions.
Liberals will choose their leader on the weekend of Dec. 2-3.
INDEX: POLITICS
(c) 2005 The Canadian Press
posted by fresh @ 5:17 p.m.
7 Comments
7 Comments:
Brison? I thought Dickie Diamond had more common sense than that...
Dickie wants to know that he too can succeed in electoral politics. Brison is the trail-blazer for him.
Party officials who are supposed to be overseeing the impartiality of the process should remain neutral. Or give up their Ex-officio post to take a stand and run for a delegate spot like the rest of us.
When has politics ever been neutral?
Diamond is entitled to support who ever he wants. Even if you don't agree with whom he chooses, good for him for showing some actual ability to take a side so I say to him... work hard and prove that the youth can make a difference.
I would prefer to see an active president rather then someone who sits on the side lines during this important time.
It's a leadership race; let's not forget that our real opponents are the conservatives.
hmmm isn't your page about Stopping Harper...not ripping into other Liberals....
focus people...focus...
We need to take down Harper...
Awesome concept to this blog...i have the pin ;)
Go Brison go!
I think Brison has the ability to be a grand leader. He is youthful and full of new visions for Canada.
Emmanuel Morin is on board as well.... He is a fantastic orgnizer from Ontario
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