Comartin slams Watson for partisan politics

Re-elected NDP MP Joe Comartin says he doesn't expect any cooperation from Tory MP-elect Jeff Watson, in his attempts to work with the new Conservative government to get things done in Ottawa.

The Conservatives swept into a majority government on Monday night, winning 167 seats, including Watson in Essex.

However, the NDP also made history, as voters launched them into the Official Opposition with 102 seats, taking both Windsor ridings – Comartin in Windsor Tecumseh and Brian Masse in Windsor West.

Comartin's comments came after Watson's victory speech Monday night, in which the Tory said he regretted that Windsorites had voted NDP:

"I do have to say with deep regret, Windsor chose to take a step back in choosing the Official Opposition instead of their own voice at the table of a Harper Conservative majority government. I don't know what that's going to mean for their economic recovery. We're going to find out of course. I know the government will do its responsibilities. I have to primarily focus on the concerns of the riding of Essex and respect what voters have chosen in Windsor," said Watson.

Comartin took Watson's remarks as an "implied threat."

"It's such arrogance to suggest that…he should be determining how people vote," said Comartin. "Democracy is democracy. We all respect that."

Comartin said Watson is part of a group of about 20 members of the Conservative caucus who play American-style partisan politics. Comartin felt that Watson's attitude was reflected in his lack of influence in the Conservative party's caucus.

"Often times, it's vindictive and petty at times and that's what that attitude demonstrates," said Comartin, who will begin his fifth term as a Member of Parliament.

The Windsor Tecumseh representative said Watson's attitude became less cooperative when the Conservatives moved from opposition into government. Comartin said that what he and Masse did to work with the government on Windsor's behalf was done with other members of the Conservative caucus, and that Comartin didn't want to paint everyone in the Conservative caucus with the same brush.

Comartin anticipated that since the Conservatives now controlled a majority in the House of Commons, Watson would be even less likely to play nice.

"Partisanship seemed to raise its head at all occasions, even minor stuff, so it's going to be more difficult," he said.

Watson was not available to comment on what he meant in his victory speech after the election, or expand on his record of cooperating with other local MPs.

Heather MacIvor, a political science professor at the University of Windsor, said one could hardly expect anyone other than Masse and Comartin to top the ballot box.

"They were very solidly entrenched and had very good teams, so it's perhaps a bit ungracious of Mr. Watson to suggest that somehow the Conservatives were entitled to win one of the seats in the city of Windsor," said MacIvor on Tuesday.

But she said she didn't believe the comments were a threat, but perhaps a bit of spirited support for his defeated Conservative teammates.

"I wouldn't say that he's in a position to make threats like that," said MacIvor.

She also felt that it wouldn't be reasonable for the Harper government to write off Windsor because "it's too strategically important." MacIvor referred to the importance of Windsor's border, security, and trade issues as prime reasons why Windsor wouldn't be left out of the Harper government's plans.

To MacIvor's point, Stephen Harper's victory message on Monday was more conciliatory than some of the comments he made throughout the election. He said, "Whether or not you cast a vote for our party today, our government must and will stand on guard for all regions — and friends, we shall do that faithfully."

Comartin said he and Masse are among the six most senior members of the NDP caucus and he sees them both taking on senior opposition portfolios and playing the role of mentor to the many new MPs in the party. He expected to be asked to assume the role of justice critic, and he said he would be standing for the position of deputy leader of the House.

Ultimately, he said, he'll be working to see his party's shift in political fortunes continue to rise.

"Our role in that regard will be very much to try and make sure that, come the next election, we'll be moving towards full government," Comartin said.

He also reiterated the importance of getting the new bridge crossing "up and running quickly and efficiently". Comartin expected the border would "be a focal point for the economy of this country."