Ottawa

Brad Trost Maverick Watch

The Conservative backbencher deviates from the script.

In a recent commentary aired on News Talk 650 CKOM, Trost said other western democracies such as Britain and the United States are mature enough to have more vigorous debates within parties. “Contrast that to Canada, where party discipline is ironclad,” Trost said. “If everyone in a party thinks the same on every issue, not a lot of thinking is going on.”

… Trost said he admires politicians of all stripes who have voted according to their conscience or the will of residents in their ridings, rather than blindly following the national party line. “We need to have a cultural change. I think it would relax everybody,” Trost said. “The (party) whip needs to have less authority over members.”

At least for those who disagree with his views on abortion, Mr. Trust is becoming a fun test of democratic principles.

See previously: The meaning of Brad Trost

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