Ladies and gentlemen of Parry Sound-Muskoka, has the real Tony Clement just stood up?

In a somewhat confusing act last week, Clement decided to oppose a motion in the House of Commons that would support the stand against the death penalty in Canada and the world.

Interestingly enough, Mr. Clement was one of the few voters opposed to the motion. He says he voted the way he did because he voted with his conscience, and for what he thought the constituents of Parry Sound-Muskoka would have wanted.

When you look at the number of votes for the motion, 255, versus only 17 opposed, that is probably a good representation of public opinion on the somewhat controversial matter. But somehow Clement, who continues his claims about being in touch with his riding, seems to think that we are an anomaly here in Parry Sound-Muskoka, and we would love to see the death penalty returned after over 30 years of abolition.

Clement tried to back his way out of his vote by first saying the motion was too broad and too extreme to vote otherwise. In fact Clement says the death penalty is warranted in certain circumstances, although the one example he gave was far from clear. Bizarre in fact.

He said he was voting his conscience, but refused to tell us what his personal beliefs on the matter actually are. Even going as far to say that his personal beliefs are irrelevant. If that were the case, Tony, then why did you vote with your conscience. Of course we can all read between the lines on where Clement stands.

Next, in true Conservative fashion, Clement went to say that the Liberals “jumped” the Conservatives with this motion, giving them only an hour to decide how to vote.

By all of this backpedalling, clearly Clement realizes his vote was perhaps misplaced, or the more likely story is, he is afraid to stand up for what he believes in.

So is this the real Tony Clement?

One who dithers when presented with a free vote in the House of Commons, and one who tries to blame others to back his way out of a corner. A true politician some might say.

But either way, Clement should not be given any clemency for his decision.

KF