Harper Had ‘Co-Opposition’ Plan, Ex-Aide Says

Tom Flanagan confirmed an opposition agreement in 2004 was designed to put Harper in power.

Flanagan, Harper’s ex-chief of staff, confirmed Monday what many observers have already pointed out: that as leader of the opposition in 2004, Harper had a plan to work with other parties to take over the government if the Liberals’ minority rule fell apart. As depicted by Flanagan, Harper’s actions are in stark contrast with the prime minister’s current insistence that only the party that gets the most votes in an election has a legitimate claim to govern. He has repeatedly claimed that the 2011 election poses a choice between a “stable” Conservative majority and a “reckless” opposition coalition led by Michael Ignatieff. Ignatieff said Saturday he would not seek to form a coalition if the Liberals place second.

Image courtesy of Reuters.