Conservative MP Garth Turner was tossed from the Conservative Caucus yesterday. The reasons for Turner's sacking are many.

The main point against him is his blog: The Turner Report. Three things struck me about his writings. First, he's definetly not a Conservative. Secondly, he's a strictly-by-the-poll-numbers kinda guy. Thirdly, I think he is very ambitious and chatty. These three traits are not all bad on their own merits; but when working in conjunction with each other, it doesn't create an environment of trust.

He's for lowering taxes for everybody, and seems big on family values - and he's got some good ideas, which are well articulated. That's where his Conservative credentials end. On Afghanistan he's wishy-washy; He is opposed to opening the Same Sex Marriage debate. He's reportedly a notorious leaker to the media. His blog is very outspoken against the current Conservative government's new environmental policy. He even goes so far as to endorse Green Party leader Elizabeth May, saying "May exudes an earth-motherliness punctuated by flying blonde hair, black glasses, an uninhibited laugh and lots of touching." He rallies behind May and her Green Party, saying "I find the woman to be sharp, engaging and surprisingly political, weaving in anti-Conservative messages that seem to go deep beyond the environmental file." This was the day before he got suspended.

Turner's not much on new ideas. He brings along the old Progressive Conservative views from his last stint in parliament, eg. taxes, fighting for the middle-class, etc. He was the chair of the consumer and corporate affairs committee for most of his first term. On the environment, Afghanistan, gay-marriage, and apparently anything else that is currently relevant, he polls his constituents before taking a position (or non-position). On the environment, his position is fortified as being the founder and CEO of an ecotourism company called The Credit River company. Yes, makes it easier to shout "Save the environment! Nuts to business!", when saving the environment is going to benefit your own business.

That's not the least of Turner's ambition. The man knows how to keep his eyes on the prize. In 1993 Turner, the single-term MP thought it a good time to take a run at the party leadership. He lost misserably, finishing fourth to Kim Campbell. He then promptly lost his riding seat in the next election. He saw an opportunity for a comeback earlier this year. He bet, and won, that a Liberal in Conservative clothing would appeal to Conservative voters, and angry Liberals.

When he was not given a cabinet position in Harper's new government, Turner felt that any ties to the party were broken, and his dreams dashed. Not surprisingly, Elizabeth May has said she may invite Turner to the Green Party, no doubt still basking in the afterglow of Turner's touching blog posting. Turner has now also declared himself a "free agent", since being turfed. I guess he goes to the highest bidder.

Turner further identifies with May's frustration the day before his outcast:

May is clearly frustrated that while she leads a national party with federal funding and candidates in every riding, she likely will not be part of any leaders’ debate in the next election or, for that matter, be taken seriously enough by these reporters milling around.

And this is where Turner really sees himself fitting in. Turner will be the first MP to represent the Green Party, giving the party national legitimacy. Green support has been growing across the country for quite a while now. Turner sees this as an opportunity for big time party growth.

Apparently Turner and I are not the only Conservative voters who quietly support The Green party.

In 2004, Greens were second choice mainly among New Democrats, but SES Research has found that more Tories now call the Greens their next-best selection. A full 36 per cent of Tory voters identified Greens as their second choice this year, up from 23 per cent who said the same in 2004. Meanwhile, 43 per cent of New Democrats said the Greens were their next choice in 2004, but only 29 per cent say that in 2006. (The Star)

Turner believes he can turn some of those votes over. Like many others, I was dismayed when Elizabeth May won the party leadership over David Chernushenko. Chernushenko was the savy savy environmentalist with a history in the private-sector. He was good business. May was the life-long-activist-lawyer who came from a family of life-long-activists. The choice seemed clear, the electable business guy, or the crazy cat-lady.

Well, the Greens went with the crazy lady. May could actually steal a seat for the Green Party, and at the same time she'll have a guy who can be her economic mouth-piece. Garths ambition is well served by this move also. He'll have secured a cushy cabinet spot for himself, if the Greens are ever elected, and I think he's doing what he believes is right.

Divorces are never easy. Even if both sides agree that it's over, someone always gets the last word. The Conservative party got the last word. But all parties involved will be better off in the long run.