Interesting

So much for the happy, unified Liberal Party and the kind leader

Tim Powers, May 7, 2009 at 11:16 AM EDT

Over the last number of weeks we have heard a perpetual hallelujah chorus of unity and harmony from the Liberal Party. Yet when one of their high profile MPs gets embroiled in controversy how quickly some in her own family come out to kick her. Ruby Dhalla's care-giver imbroglio has some Liberals saying nasty things about their colleague. For example:

“The MP for Brampton-Springdale is glamorous, energetic and career-oriented. She's also viewed by fellow caucus members as a “high maintenance” self-promoter, unwilling to do parliamentary drudgery, and demanding with her staff.

“I don't get the sense that too many people are feeling all that sorry for her,” one MP said.”

Good for Liberal MP Judy Sgro for going public and standing up for her friend. Loyalty is important in politics. Michael Ignatieff seems still to be ducking this issue and at the time of writing has yet to say a word publicly on this matter. The Leader of the Opposition has not hesitated to use Ms. Dhalla in the past as an outreach vehicle not only with different ethnic groups but also youth and women. But when she needs him most in the biggest crisis of her public life thus far he is no-where to be seen. This is kinder, gentler, friendly and likeable Ignatieff the Liberal Party keeps telling us about?