The Last of our Great Political Leaders.

Late last week I witnessed what can only be described as a truly class act performed by one of the nation’s best known and most veteran politicians. It may have slipped past some of you in your daily activities, since it received ten full seconds of national news time, but it did happen. A politician actually did what was best for the Country and the Commons rather than acting along party lines. This is unheard of on our Country and is so refreshing to see.

I’m referring of course to Mr. Ed Broadbent. A man who has been in the political arena for longer than many of us can remember, or would care to. Mr. Broadbent is of course a member of the NDP party and for many years was their leader, arguably one of their greatest. He has always been known as a fair minded individual, but his actions last week were the crowning proof of this fact.

You will notice throughout this article that I keep referring to Mr. Broadbent as Mr. This is because after his actions last week, more than anyone else on Parliament Hill, he deserves this title of respect.

What did Mr. Broadbent do? A very simple act really, he actually offered to sit out the non-confidence vote coming up this week in order to offset the fact that the Conservatives have a member in hospital, who cannot make the vote. It is a simple act indeed, but one that shows the true stature of the man. An act of genuine selflessness by a politician, can you believe it!!

Mr. Broadbent, without any thought for the agenda of his party, offered to sit out this crucial vote in order to ensure that it would lead to a fair and honest result for the nation.

At issue is the fact that the Liberal Party is fully aware that in calling the vote for Thursday May 19, they could ensure that a member of the Conservative Party would not be able to attend. They knew he had cancer surgery scheduled for quite some time and of course could not postpone it. This is the type of game this government is playing in order to hang onto power. They’re a really soft hearted bunch those Liberals.

Of course the NDP Party is supporting the Liberals in the upcoming vote, but even though his party would like the Liberals to remain in office long enough to push through some key NDP agenda items, Mr. Broadbent, who’s own wife is quite ill, saw through the sleazy and politically driven timing of the vote and he decided that enough was enough. Even though the Liberals are seeking to hang onto power by the most deplorable means possible, Mr. Broadbent decided that at least this one tactic was not going to pay off. Not on his watch.

I’m sure that he, like other members of the NDP Party would love to achieve their agenda. The fact that the party is backing the Liberals proves this. Most politicians have no moral issue with using any means possible to achieve their objectives. In Mr. Broadbent however, we find one who has not completely sold his soul to the federal machine. The fact that he took the step of offering to sit out the vote shows clearly that there is indeed someone left in Ottawa who still has integrity. In fact, others in the Party have followed his laudable example and made similar offers across the floor.

By making this offer and setting this example, Mr. Broadbent is doing what he can to ensure that if the Liberal Party does remain in power after Thursday’s vote, it will be because they have the support of the House of Commons (even if by one vote). It won’t be because the Liberal Party scheduled the vote to ensure that some members of the opposition couldn’t be there to take part. This is the type of class and fairness we would like to see from all of our politicians, a class that unfortunately, most of them could not muster on their best day.

Although this gesture did not receive a lot of press and the ramifications of it are yet to be felt, I thought it was only fair for someone to make note of this moment in history. It is a moment that may change the course of our nation, depending on the results of the vote. It is also a moment when one of our political leaders showed true greatness by performing a simple act, doing the right thing.

I can' t say that I have been a big supporter of the NDP party. I have voted for just about every political stripe over the years, depending on the issues of the day and the candidate being offered. I can say however that I remember when you led the NDP party. I remember your approach to solid leadership and your ability to get under the skin of the ruling party of the day. I also remember the glow of honesty that you always managed to project when speaking on issues of national importance. Today Mr. Broadbent, you have proven your honesty to one and all.

Thank you Mr. Broadbent, thank you for your years of service to this country and thank you for making one of your last acts in federal politics an act of compassion and honour. You are the type of political leader this Country needs and upon your retirement, which it appears will be very soon, you will be sorely missed. I know history will rank you as one of our last great political leaders, and rightfully so.