Duceppe declines Harper's debate challenge
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 | 5:11 PM ET
CBC News
Duceppe said Wednesday that since it is the Liberals who lack the moral authority to govern, there is no point having a debate without their leader, Paul Martin.
"When we took the vote in the House, it was a motion of non-confidence against the Liberals because they didn't have the moral authority to govern," Duceppe said. "So having a debate without the party accused of not having moral authority to govern – I mean, this is no debate."
Harper had said he was willing to go one on one in French with Duceppe on a Quebec television network. Martin has already rejected a similar suggestion from Duceppe.
Martin told reporters that he is willing to go up against Duceppe on the sovereignty issue, but would do so in the debates already scheduled for January.
"I am certainly prepared to do it in the two debates to come," Martin said.
The prime minister said last week he would debate the Bloc leader on every street corner and in every Quebec town.
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The Conservatives, who have no seats in the province, are working to present themselves as a better option for the federalist vote.
