Page "Scott Brison" Paragraph 8

On December 10, 2003, four days after Brison voted in favour of the PCs merging with the Canadian Alliance to form the new Conservative Party of Canada, Brison announced that he would cross the floor and sit as a Liberal MP.

He stated that he had reservations about the perceived dominance of former members of the more socially conservative Canadian Alliance in the new party.

Brison was criticized for this move, however, especially because he had actively supported the merger when it was first proposed.

Others had also pointed out that as Finance Critic, he had been outspoken in his attacks on Paul Martin who was Finance Minister ; Brison was criticized as an opportunist for switching parties and accepting a position as parliamentary secretary.

Brison claimed his enthusiasm for the merger had become discernibly lukewarm in the final weeks before the vote.

He indicated that he would honour his prior commitment to support the proposal, but said that he would reconsider his allegiance once the results were announced.