A boisterous gathering lined both sides of Talbot Street on Saturday afternoon outside the campaign office of Progressive Conservative Party of Canada candidate Andrew Lawton in what was billed as a Stand Up for Decency rally. Those in attendance expressed concerns over Lawton’s egregious remarks in the past.
Last week, organizer Christine Rudman told myFM, “I think a lot of people in our riding have some issues with Andrew Lawton and his worldview, to be perfectly honest. We’re in precarious times as a country. Our sovereignty has been threatened. We have fascism at the door.
“And I think it’s really important that we have someone qualified, for one, who grew up in the area, would be two, and who has the values that represent our region.”
St. Thomas native Donald D’Haene stressed the rally was about social issues including mental health.
Audio PlayerD’Haene added that many Conservative voters he knows are ashamed that Lawton – a London resident – was nominated to represent the party in the April 28 federal election.
Rudman added, “I think Andrew Lawton has an agenda that’s much bigger than this region, and it is, from my perspective, nefarious.
Although dressed in a rabbit costume Saturday afternoon, St. Thomas resident Candace was not in a particularly joking mood. She was one of the dozens who attended the rally. She expressed concerns that today’s Conservative Party does not support the same values that she and her parents remember in the past.
Audio PlayerRudman has serious concerns about the character of Lawton and comments he has made in the past.
“And I know that there’s been some pushback in our conversations with people who have been concerned that, you know, he’s copped to the egregious remarks he’s made in the past, whether it’s Islamophobic or homophobic or misogynist.”
She stressed the rally was in response to not being offered, “A legitimate candidate.”
A concern echoed by St. Thomas resident Nick.
Audio PlayerRudman added, “It’s well documented how he feels about those communities. Now I know he’s kind of apologized and sort of pointed to his mental illness at the time as an excuse for this kind of rhetoric, but I don’t know that he’s changed.”
A statement from Lawton in response to comments he has made in the past can be found here.
