Neither Eyes To See, Nor Tongue To Speak

This is the first day of my re-election campaign and I'm dreading it. When I mentioned this fact in an interview on Saturday, the reporter asked: "Isn't that a bit counter-intuitive? I mean, didn't most of the House vote for an election?" I stated that I privately didn't take to elections because I'm not good at knocking on doors and peddling myself; I find it exceedingly difficult because of my more quiet nature. He laughed at that, saying that he had heard that about me from others.Then I looked at him and said: "This is my fourth election in five years and the one I wish to fight the most." He looked nonplussed and so I elaborated with a historic but not too familiar story that nevertheless speaks to the very heart of this election campaign and what it represents.Speaker William Lenthall represented Woodstock in England's "Short Parliament" (1640), and was chosen by King Charles I to be the Speaker. According to Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, he was hardly a suitable choice because he appeared unable to control proceedings.These were rocky times and eventually some Parliamentary leaders began speaking out against the autocratic actions of the King. His temper inflamed, Charles stormed into the Parliamentary Chamber with an armed escort, crossed the Bar of the House without permission, and promptly sat in the Speaker's chair. This forbidden act resulted in a deathly silence according to those present. His eyes scanning the Chamber for those whom he believed guilty of treason, Charles looked over at Lenthall and demanded to know where they were. His Speaker's response was one for the ages:

"May it please Your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see, nor tongue to speak in this place, but as the House is pleased to direct me, whose servant I am here; and I humbly beg Your Majesty's pardon that I cannot give any other answer than this to what Your Majesty is pleased to demand of me."

In this election I am nothing more than a Member of Parliament. I am running as a Liberal, it's true, but my loyalty is ultimately to the Parliament of Canada. It was to this sacred Chamber that the good people of London North Centre elected me. I have attempted with the best of my ability to stay true to their faith in me. But in these past few years I have watched in that place as the will of Parliament has continued to be overruled by a government that refuses to recognize its ultimate power. I have stood and voted for bills I believed vital to the future and health of this country, only to have the success of such votes ignored by the present government. I looked on as the Harper government secretly passed along a 200-page handbook to its members about how to scuttle committees and blunt their usefulness. Along with other Canadians, I have watched as the Parliament was prorogued - twice - instead of remaining to do its work for the people of Canada.And I have despaired, as any reader of my blog posts will know. And then one person stepped forward and said "enough." He was a man of clout because he was the Speaker of the House, Peter Milliken. Finding the government to be worthy of contempt a year ago, he demanded that the will of the House be respected and that the PM work with all members on the Afghan detainee issue. Little did he realize that he would have to undertake the same task a year later - twice.And now the House has found the government in contempt, for the first time in Canadian history, as well as the first time in the entire history of the Commonwealth. The PM dismissed it all this past weekend as procedure; the Speaker has concluded it is pivotal. Figuratively, the PM has presumed he could march into the House of Commons, sit in the Speaker's chair and demand to have the right to neglect the institutional powers. When, in what will endure as one of the crucial moments in Parliamentary history, Peter Milliken faced him directly and found the government in danger of contempt on two counts, he carried on the great tradition of William Lenthall almost 500 years ago.This is why I'm proud to stand in this election and defend the ultimate authority of Parliament as the people's main champion and defender. A sacred trust has been violated and the Speaker has attempted to defy autocratic authority in favour of the good people of Canada.Sure the RCMP is undertaking a serious investigation of the government involving insider influence that involves big bucks. Yes, Elections Canada is investigating the Conservatives for election fraud. And influence peddling seems everywhere. These are objective third-party authorities doing their job and the government is in trouble. But it is that one act of being found in contempt of Parliament and thus the people of Canada that this present election finds its nexus. This one's for you, and regardless of whether you agree with it or not, it is undertaken to defend your rights to hold your own government accountable. Here's to Peter Milliken ... and to Parliament.