Harper insists he hasn't sold his conservative soul

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he hasn't sold out his conservative principles since taking office nearly five years ago — despite spending billions on government initiatives and putting the federal treasury deep into deficit.

Harper made the comment in an interview with CBC News broadcast Monday night. Harper answered questions on topics ranging from the merits of a coalition government to how his own patience and level of partisanship has changed since his party came to power on Jan. 23, 2006.

It was in defending himself against the suggestion that he has abandoned his conservative roots that Harper was most vociferous.

"I think if you look on balance I think this is a centre-right government," Harper told CBC News anchor Peter Mansbridge.

"I don't think the fundamentals of our values are very different. I think we're clear about those things. We tend to favour free enterprise and markets over government intervention. Low taxes over high taxes. We favour family tradition. We're strong supporters of our traditional allies."

Harper said it's easy to identify the values for which his government stands, but added that it has been necessary to adapt to the dire economic climate caused by the global recession.

"I mean, fundamentally, being a conservative is about being a political realist. And one's policies have to be appropriate."

Harper said it's "no secret" that the government launched massive economic stimulus measures to create jobs and boost the economy.

That has led to an unprecedented $56 billion deficit in the past year. In the 2008 election, Harper said he didn't plan to run a deficit.

"Everything I know about the economy tells me that's the appropriate policy under the extremely unusual circumstances we found ourselves in," said Harper.

"You don't stand up and do a policy that's inappropriate because somebody says it's not their dictionary definition of conservatism. But I think we've done it in a way that is consistent with our views and consistent with the promotion of the kind of Canada we want to see over time."

Among the other highlights of the interview:

- On the minority Parliament, he said his government has demonstrated that "it can work" although "it hasn't always been pretty."

"We don't get done everything we want to get done, or sometimes I think we need to get done. But I think for the most part, considering what could have happened, it's served Canadians fairly well."

- On the next election, he once again predicted one of two outcomes: a Conservative majority, or a "coalition of the other parties" if the Tories are only re-elected with a minority.

"That's my belief. Everything I see points to that. I, of course, will always be happy to see if the people of Canada elect a Conservative minority, I'd be happy to do that. But my anticipation is that we'll go one way or the other next time."

- On government corruption, he said the Tories have turned the page from previous Liberal governments dogged by scandals.

"I'm not going to say we've run a perfect government by any means, but there have been no corruption scandals or anything resembling that under this government."

- On his leadership style, he fended off criticism that he is overly controlling.

"Every prime minister (that) has been in charge, all across the spectrum — Mr. Trudeau, Mr. Mulroney, Mr. Chretien — every prime minister is accused of being a one-man band because the reality is the prime minister is the chief executive office of our government."

- On governing, he said the longer a leader is in power, "the more you tend to see the partisan and electoral game as a distraction."

The CBC will broadcast the second half of its interview with Harper Tuesday night.

Source: canada.com