Owen Sound, Ont. — A provincial Tory says he is considering an offer from the New Democratic Party to switch sides so it can regain party status in the Ontario legislature.
Bill Murdoch says he wouldn't change his political views and become a left-leaning New Democrat but is considering an offer by NDP deputy house leader Peter Kormos to sit with the party in the legislature. ''I would never become an NDP [member]. I don't agree with their philosophy,'' said the outspoken Conservative backbencher, who represents Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. "I believe in democracy. I think it makes for a better opposition if they have party status."After the Liberal landslide on Oct. 2, the NDP was reduced to seven members in the 103-seat legislature, leaving the party one seat shy of the number needed for party standing. That means the party loses its annual legislative budget of more than $1-million, which pays for a research staff of about 20 people.
Mr. Kormos wouldn't disclose the details of his conversation with Mr. Murdoch but says he doesn't expect him to think like the NDP.
"I wouldn't expect him to relinquish his values or beliefs," Mr. Kormos said in a telephone interview from his home in St. Catharines, Ont., yesterday.
Mr. Kormos said the two men share a concern for democracy in the legislature. And while he doesn't agree with everything the NDP stands for, Mr. Murdoch believes it's important that the views of 15 per cent of Ontarians who voted for the NDP are represented in the legislature.
