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T h e O a k v ille B e a v e r W e e k e n d , S a t u r d a y F e b r u a r y 11, 2 0 0 6 - 5 Turner says defecting Emerson should run in by-election By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Newly-elected Halton MP Garth Turner is calling for Liberal defector David Emerson's resignation, saying he should run again for his seat as a Conservative in a by-election. The local politician made the comments Thursday on Parliament Hill, where he and fellow Conservative MP Myron Thompson both said Emerson needs to go back to his con stituents -- who elected him three weeks ago as a Liberal -- and look for their approval on his party change. In an interview Friday, Turner said he hopes the Vancouver MP will do the "honourable thing" and seek a by-election. "I think anybody who is a member of the government should have to be elected by the people as a representative of the party that forms the govern ment," he said. "How can people be accountable if they're not elected?" Turner's call for action has caused a stir in Ottawa -- some thing he discusses quite candidly in his on-line blog. "This one MP came face-toface with the party machine in a series of unhappy meetings, including one tonight (Thursday) with the prime min ister," he says on his Web site. "I think it is now safe to say my career options within the Conservative caucus are serious ly limited." He goes on to note that he's "expecting the Whip will be assigning me a renovated wash room somewhere in a forgotten corner of a vermin-infested, dank basement in Ottawa. That should go well with my seat in the House of Commons that will be visible only during lunar eclipses." While some on Parliament Hill may be less than impressed with Turner's suggestion of a byelection, he thinks "it's some thing people in Halton would expect." Previously, Turner has pub licly stated that NewmarketAurora MP Belinda Stronach should have put her name through a by-election process after crossing the floor to join the Liberal party. At this point, Turner said he's not sure if Emerson will decide to put his name on the ballot again. "I can't force him to do it," he noted. While Turner's comments on Emerson' s cabinet appointment were rel atively tame, he dubbed the decision a "questionable" one in his on-line blog, noting it "seemed to fly in the face of everything I had told voters about accountability and democracy." Turner is now looking to get legisla tion put in place that would force an MP who crosses the floor to go back to their constituents for support. He noted if that doesn't happen he will introduce a private member's bill on the matter. Emerson's party change has caused an uproar is his west coast riding and across the country, with several others besides Turner demanding he resign. -W ith file s fro m T o rS ta r News Service. S h e r i d a n Presen ts a n e t t e N o , N o , N \ Music by Vincent Youmans Lyric^ by Irving Caesar & Otto Harbach F e b ru a r y 1 4 - 2 5 , 2006 Call the Box Office to reserve your tickets 905-815-4049 London Life CO M PA I B eau ty C o n f i d e n c e Dr. S tep h en Phelan D EN TAL SURGEON PHELAN Practice I Med to Esthetic & ImplantDentistry 1 5 0 0 Heritage Way Oakville, Ont Call us at 9 0 5 . 8 2 7 . 1 6 1 9 www.smiletoremember.com