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         Appeared on the Nov. 23  issue of The Hill Times


 NUNZIATA EYES UNITED ALTERNATIVE
Independent MP  is considering joining the United Alternative
by Angelo Persichilli
                                                              THE HILL TIMES                            (Versione italiana)
Independent Ontario MP John Nunziata, who was booted out of the federal Liberal caucus in the last Parliament and got re-elected as the only Independent MP in the House, is considering joining the so-called United Alternative. 

Mr. Nunziata told The Hill Times that he was approached by senior Reform Party strategist Rick Anderson some time ago about the idea and is weighing his options. 

"I indicated to him that, in order for this to be successful, it has to be perceived as a new political entity. It has to be broadly based enough to accommodate and attract small 'l' liberals as well as Reform and Conservative party members."

Mr. Nunziata (York South-Weston, Ont.) said Mr. Anderson told him that this is one of the options and that another could be the merge of the two parties.

But Mr. Nunziata said he didn't like this option.

"I do not see that happening. There is too much resistance and it would exclude the small 'l' liberals. If it is described as uniting the right then there are people like me and many others that just wouldn't be interested. Mainly because it would considered a right wing party." 

However, Mr. Nunziata said he's not quite sure what right-wing means today, or any political labels, saying the Liberal government has adopted and embraced almost all of the major policies of the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney while NDP Leader Alexa McDonough is now courting business. 

Mr. Nunziata said there's a blurring of the lines and said he thinks the new entity would have to stand for something. He said with the upcoming "United Alternative" convention in Ottawa in February the players will have to deal with policies and not just a gang up against the Liberal Party. 

Mr. Nunziata said he's "definitely" considering attending the widely-hyped convention, but said it doesn't mean he's made a commitment.

"I have to be convinced that is the right thing to do," said Mr. Nunziata.

Like most "United Alternative," supporters who say the Liberals will keep winning as long as the Reform and Conservative parties continue to split the vote, Mr. Nunziata said he believes there's a need for a strong national alternative to the federal Liberals.

"It is necessary because in order for the system to work effectively you need at least two national parties that are ready, willing and able to form a government. And we are presently in a one-party system. There is no other party that can form a national government at this point. That is not healthy for our so-called democracy," said Mr. Nunziata.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nunziata, who attempted to get back into the Liberal Party last year before the election, but was rejected, said he won't discount trying to rejoin the Liberals with a new leader like Paul Martin.

"I do not close any options. But I have to be satisfied that there will be a change in certain areas. I consider myself a small 'l' liberal. I think that the current government has strayed significantly from liberalism and I think that on some issues they just so far gone," he said.

Mr. Nunziata said he disagrees with how the government has dealt with the hepatitis C compensation issue, the APEC controversy and the budget surplus. 

Mr. Nunziata said he believes that Reform Party Leader Preston Manning must resign in order to allow other political candidates to run for the "United Alternative" and for it to succeed. 

"Obviously Manning has been very successful in building a new political entity, the Reform Party. But I think he has taken it as far as he can go. The Reform Party is at a crossroads. They either have to decide to remain a western-based party or they have to decide to become a national party. In order to do that they have to change some policies. They have to accommodate more people, be more broadly-based, they have to change the public perception and, probably, they need a new leader," said Mr. Nunziata.

He said the public perception has set in and that the people in Quebec will never forget the Reform Party's anti-Quebec ads in the last election campaign. 

Meanwhile, even with Joe Clark now at the helm of the Progressive Conservative Party, Mr. Nunziata said he does not believe the Tories stand a chance of threatening the governing Liberals from power.

"I do not think it matters. I like Joe Clark but I do not believe that the Conservative Party stands any chance to resurrect by itself.

Definitely media, with Joe Clark there, would pay more attention to the Conservatives but it would be enough, may be, to bring the Liberals down to a minority government. Nothing more," he said.

Mr. Nunziata believes the Tories have to overtake the Reform Party in Western Canada, make inroads in Quebec and gain seats in Ontario taking away support from the Liberals and so far he does not see that happening.

"He cannot take Western Canada away from Preston Manning. I do not believe he has changed and he supports the same issues that brought Western Canada to the Reform," said Mr. Nunziata.

Meanwhile, he said the "United Alternative" might be the only alternative if it gains momentum it will became a reality. 

Asked if there are other Liberal MP who would be ready to consider joining the "United Alternative," Mr. Nunziata said "there will be a pretty significant group" who would feel welcome and comfortable in the new political entity.

But in the end if he doesn't join a new "political entity," Mr. Nunziata said he would run again as an Independent.

"I like what I'm doing and my present plan is to seek the re-election. Of course everything can happen, there are few years down the road and you have to assess the situation at the time when you have to make those decisions. Right now I like what I'm doing."