EDITORIAL: Hyer leaves NDP behind

It’s not often politicians do the right thing for the right reason.

Bruce Hyer, it seems, is the exception to the rule.

The second-term MP, who bleeds as orange as they come, earlier this week told the?NDP leadership, “Thanks, but no thanks,”?quitting the party to sit as an independent.

Hyer had plenty of reasons to leave the NDP behind – though he says he’ll likely vote with them 90 per cent of the time.

Punished by his party for listening to his constituents about the long-gun registry, Hyer was then ignored by new NDP?Leader Thomas Mulcair when the party named its shadow cabinet last week.

Yes, Mulcair had to appease his Quebec caucus, which led the NDP?to official Opposition status a year ago. But Hyer, who supported Nathan Cullen in the leadership race, deserved a little more consideration.

Voters have a right to be upset that he’s left, especially those who voted for the party, and not the candidate. But rest assured, Thunder?Bay-Superior North is no worse or better off than it was before he made his announcement on Monday.

In a majority Conservative government situation, the NDP have no say in federal dollars that come here. Sure they can lobby, but it’s the government that ultimately decides. In fact, untethered from the New Democrats, Hyer may have more luck as an independent.