Ousted MP considers new career as critic of politicians
After two nomination losses, Conservative MP Rob Anders is eyeing a career in conservative activism.
Anders, the MP for Calgary West for the last 17 years, was defeated for the Conservative nomination in the redrawn riding of Calgary Signal Hill by former provincial cabinet minister Ron Liepert in April.
In September, he lost a bid for the Tory nod in the Bow River riding.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa Thursday, Anders did not categorically rule out another political run but suggested his interests now lie elsewhere.
“My heart is drawn towards a conservative institute that would do training, that would do issues advocacy, that would do rating of politicians in terms of … how conservative they are,” he said.
Anders said he was not talking about joining an existing group such as the Manning Centre or National Citizens Coalition and said he could “potentially” start a new organization.
Anders was first elected to Parliament in 1997, at the age of 25. He is known for his strong social conservative views and gained attention for his sometimes inflammatory statements, including his opposition to granting honorary citizenship to Nelson Mandela, branding the South African leader a communist and a terrorist.
With files from Jason Fekete, Postmedia News
http://www.canada.com/news/politics/Ousted+considers+career+critic+politicians/10360322/story.html