Jack Layton: Untrustworthy

I have long considered the N.D.P. to be a party of integrity. Even though they often unrealistic policy positions and show a disregard for economics sometimes, I believe that they do so with good intentions and not in any way to mislead. Although I preferred to see Bill Blakie win the 2003 leadership race, I thought that Jack Layton would continue in the honourable tradition of N.D.P. leaders. I even briefly considered voting for the N.D.P. last election.

Jack Layton however has shown that he's not like his predecessors: he's actually a run-of-the-mill unprincipled politician who's more interested in power than sticking to principle. Setting aside his flip-flops on such issues as the Clarity Act, consider his promise of how he'd use his influence in a minority.

Last election, Layton promised that he would use his influence in a minority to ensure a referendum on proportional representation. Nothing less would earn the N.D.P.'s backing for the government.

In April 2005, Jack Layton had his chance. The Liberals needed him to save their government. Jack Layton was saying that they needed to be held to account. Layton could have demanded that his price for protecting the Liberals from immediate accounting was for them to have a referendum on instituting a new, more accountable electoral system. But Jack Layton didn't. Instead, he asked for money. Jack Layton broke his election promise. Jack Layton refused to hold the government to account. He sold his principled stand for accountable government for some cold, hard cash. Just like the Liberals, Jack Layton showed that he'll give away accountable government for some money.