'They are done,' Williams says of Conservative MPs

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams says three Conservative MPs have doomed their party's electoral chances by supporting their government's budget.

"I think they are done," Williams said, reacting to Nova Scotia MP Bill Casey's decision to vote against his government's budget because of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's perceived turnabout on the equalization formula.

All Conservative MPs except Casey have supported the government budget bill that will leave non-renewable resources— such as offshore oil and gas— included in the formula. In the weeks before the January 2006 election, Harper had made a written pledge to exclude such revenues.

Williams said the Harper Conservatives can now count on losing their hold in the three Newfoundland and Labrador ridings they won in 2006: St. John's East, St. John's South-Mount Pearl and Avalon.

"I don't there is any doubt about it. I don't think they will get re-elected," Williams told reporters Wednesday.

"I think the people of the province are really annoyed with them."

Casey voted against the budget because of concerns that gains made through the 2005 Atlantic Accord— which exempted Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador resources revenues from federal clawback— will be wiped out.

Last fall, when Williams learned from Harper that he was considering a change in tack on equalization, Williams warnedfederal Tories ofa "big goose egg" in the next election.

When the budget was brought down in March, Williams went on the offensive, and— though a Progressive Conservative— has said he will try to help defeat federal Tory candidates.

"From my perspective, I will be encouraging people not to vote for either one of the three of them, and I don't think I have to do much encouraging to make that happen," Williams said.

St. John's East MP Norm Doyle has already said he will not seek re-election, but has stood by the Conservative budget.

Hearn, Newfoundland and Labrador's cabinet representative said Williams and Casey ought to wait to see how the new equalization formula works.

"We've been doing it while others, including my own premier, have been running around the country just running us down and contributing absolutely nothing to getting a solution," said Hearn, who represents St. John's South-Mount Pearl.

Todd Russell, the Liberal MP for Labrador, said the Conservatives should expect electoral consequences in Atlantic Canada.

"They're like jellyfish," Russell said, describing Conservative caucus members.

"Bill Casey did the right thing. He stood up for what he believed in— he understands the issue. And Atlantic Canadians won't have the wool pulled over their eyes."