Orchard May Not Always Toe Liberal Party Line

Orchard May Not Always Toe Liberal Party Line

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 14:28

 

 

The Liberal Party’s newest candidate says he won’t be afraid to challenge party policies from time to time.

 

David Orchard is coming off a nomination win last week in the northern Saskatchewan riding of Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River.

 

Orchard had voiced his displeasure with the way the Liberals chose a candidate for the March by-election in the riding — and says he’ll speak up anytime he thinks the party is going in the wrong direction.

 

Orchard also says he’s heard Conservative MP Rob Clarke indicate in speeches that there was very little he could do to change his party’s policies — but Orchard is pledging to do what he can to affect Liberal policy where he feels a change is needed.

 

Meanwhile, Orchard is enthused with the turnout the Liberals’ recent nomination in northern Saskatchewan attracted.

 

He says over 1,800 northerners bought memberships prior to the vote.

 

Orchard says he’s also heard stories of people going to great lengths to take part in last Thursday’s voting — including some individuals who drove six hours to get to a polling station.

 

He notes his battle with Joan Beatty even drew non-party members on voting day.

 

According to Orchard, there would have been more people taking part had party memberships been less expensive to buy.

 

He says $40 is too much — and that it should be $5 or $10, instead.