Wednesday February 18, 2004

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday February 18, 2004

The latest political news from Hamilton

The sponsorship scandal plaguing the Liberal government appears to be costing more than percentage points in public opinion polls. 

John Bryden announced Tuesday that he is leaving the party after more than a decade in Parliament. 

“I’ve been holding off these past number of weeks as I’ve watched things happen here in Ottawa, and I’ve been very disturbed,” Mr. Bryden told a Calgary radio talk show Tuesday. 

“I can’t be in the Liberal caucus under the circumstances because, basically, what I’ve said is I’ve lost confidence in the prime minister and I’ve lost confidence in the Liberal party.” 

The MP for the southern Ontario riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot released a one-line statement Tuesday morning that read “Liberal MP Bryden quits party. Looks to the Conservatives.” (Globe & Mail)