Leadership With A Big L

Manley rude to Queen, says Clark [from CBC.ca news]

OTTAWA - Conservative Leader Joe Clark says the deputy prime minister should have nothing to do with the Queen's visit to the country's capital next week.

It was embarrassing and insulting to hear John Manley advocate abandoning the monarchy when the Queen's reign ends, Clark said Saturday. Manley, who has suggested breaking ties to the monarchy in the past, made his latest comments on Friday in Montreal ñ just as the Queen began her Golden Jubilee tour of Canada.

"I thought (Manley's remarks) represented, first of all, simple rudeness, and secondly, the worst possible political judgment. I was astounded," Clark said after a meeting of his party's national council. "It should be made abundantly clear to Her Majesty that he does not speak for the people of the country when he says that on the day she arrives in Canada."

Clark called on Jean ChrÈtien to assign someone other than Manley to host the Queen during her visit to Ottawa.

Manley, meanwhile, told reporters that he regrets the timing of his statement. "The Queen is in Canada to receive the thanks of Canadians after 50 years of service and it's richly deserved," the deputy prime minister said. "I wished I'd been a little more skillful at not answering a question."

Yes, I wish more of our leaders showed greater question-dodging skills and less candour. You'll make a fine prime minister Mr. Manley.