Hamilton is a union town, and down and dirty, dramatic, divisive street fighting style politics play well.
More payback time in the Liberal party?
Tony Valeri, current Minister of Transportation, defeated Sheila Copps for the liberal riding nomination of Hamilton East.
Over 5 thousand votes were cast.

And even before the winner was announced there were allegations of irregularities and discrepancies from each side.

From the start of the often bitter nomination campaign, it was clear that the battle between Mr. Valeri and Ms. Copps would ultimately decide Ms. Copps’s political future.

It appeared that riding’s constituents understood the ramifications, lining up for more than three hours to cast their ballots. The lines were orderly and peaceful, but there was some frustration among those who stood so long in a very hot and stuffy hallway to make their choice.

Voting got off to a raucous start Saturday with hundreds of supporters of both camps trying hard to out shout the others.
“Tony is the future, Sheila is the past,” was the chant from the side of the high school gymnasium staked out by those loyal to Mr. Valeri.

Copps has the option to run as an independent and file a complaint with the party appeal committee. Or, she can go over to the NDP.
I don’t think this upcoming federal election will be about issues as much as it will be about personalities.
Seeing sitting Liberals pitted against each other isn’t pretty, and there will be more to come as the Martin machine rolls through and rolls over whomever is in the way.

Speaking of issues, Alfonso Gagliano, Public Works Minister from 1997 until the winter of 2002 when he was sent to Denmark, is playing the victim.

He hinted he may sue, saying, “I ask my lawyers to look into the damage they caused to me.”

I don’t think too many people are going to have sympathy for his remarks and his public defense.
100 million dollars of our money is gone, and the former minister crying scapegoat, won’t play well on Main Street. You can play count the blame and spin statements in this piece.
Gagliano can go to the Liberal party appeal committee.
He may have to stand in line.