To the Editor,
Let me start off by clarifying that I am not someone who could ever be accurately labelled a conservative, particularly by modern standards. However, after reading the article by MPP Bobbi Ann Brady regarding who is actually in charge on Six Nations, I must say it is very refreshing to have a representative who is able to actually voice what they feel rather than trying to accommodate and rationalize a party line.
(For those unaware, Ms. Brady was assistant to retiring Conservative MPP Toby Barrett, but was compelled to run, and win, as an independent when Doug Ford arbitrarily tagged former Haldimand mayor, Ken Hewitt, to run under the Conservative banner.)
Her piece was about the mind numbingly frustrating process of attempting to navigate and negotiate, in good faith, the layers of government within the Haudenosaunee, as well as the equally frustrating efforts of getting a straight answer out of the provincial government as to who outsiders should be negotiating with. But to witness our local Haldimand MPP calling to task a sitting Conservative government, on this as well as other issues, was itself worth the read as it was something I had thought I would never again see in this county.
Although her position as an independent might seem limiting, and unfortunately will be in the large number of cases, it’s equally true that as a caucused Conservative backbencher her job would have been to simply parrot the party line, as her former boss did faithfully for years, instead of vocally advocating for those who had elected her. This is why, although I would never vote for Bobbi Ann Brady the Conservative, and likely wouldn’t even as an independent, I do respect and appreciate the work she is doing in her current incarnation and wish her well in her efforts.
Robert Sorrell,
Caledonia
