Conservative as Free Traders?

The Potash story continues. Given conservatives, more than most, are supposed to be historically minded it is amazing how short their memory is. I try to fix that a bit, but as it does not fit the spin I doubt it will be heard. This was published a couple of days later.

As submitted to the National Post this morning.
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While I agree with much of what Mr. Watson writes I have to disagree with the closing premise that protectionism is not a “conservative” value.

1878 – Sir John A campaigns on his ‘National Policy’ of massively increased tariffs. This reverses the fairly free trade that had existed since 1854 and he wins.

1911 – Borden campaigns on a slogan “No Truck or Trade with the Yankees” and wins.

1930 – Bennett campaigns on even more increases of tariffs, and wins.

1985 - The McDonald royal commission (initiated by Trudeau) reports favourably on freer trade and convinces Mr. Mulroney. He changes his and the Conservative Party’s stance and campaigns on freer trade and next election he wins.

2010 - Mr. Harper goes back to the traditional conservative position of populist protectionism.

Unfortunately he too may win from this, while as Mr. Watson points out we lose.