Keeping watch

I don't think there was ever much doubt that in light of the Cons' utter refusal to accept accountability for themseves, Democracy Watch was bound to become a critic rather than an implicit supporter (as it was in 2006). But Duff Conacher has stepped up his group's criticism, coming out swinging at the Cons for their broken promises:

The Conservatives lied to voters when they promised a new era of accountability by ending the controversial practice of appointing partisans to federal agencies, boards and commissions, a government watchdog group says.

Since the beginning of the year, the Tories have made about 800 appointments, many of them with close ties to the party, and there is still no sign of an independent public appointments commission, said Duff Conacher, co-ordinator of Democracy Watch, a group advocating government accountability and corporate responsibility.

"To lie to the voters, to mislead the voters during the last election on this issue of government accountability shows a very high level of hypocrisy and dishonesty," Conacher said.

Not that the Cons' lack of honesty should come as news. But with one of the groups which helped push the Cons into power now echoing the opposition's rightful criticisms, the Cons' effort to be believed will only get tougher as time goes by. And hopefully the result will be a more believable government before too long.