Former d'Entremont Staff Member Calls Floor-Crossing 'A Slap in the Face'
Brian Hirtle, a longtime aide to MP Chris d’Entremont, criticized his former boss’s move to join the Liberal Party, calling it a self-centered decision. Hirtle, who had been d’Entremont’s electoral district association president and supporter in all three of his election victories in Acadie-Annapolis, expressed deep disappointment.
“I woke up from a nap and the phone lit up everywhere. It was all over the news that he was considering it,” Hirtle said. “I was as shocked as anybody.”
“It’s a slap in the face to the residents,” he said. “It takes a community of hard-working folks from Argyle to Long Point Road. It’s a team effort.”
Hirtle described the team’s pride in maintaining the only Conservative seat in Nova Scotia, a status he believes d’Entremont has now given away. Though the two had been colleagues and friends, Hirtle said he is unsure how their next meeting will go. He added that some younger voters who supported d’Entremont for the first time now feel betrayed.
“He feels very betrayed,” Hirtle said.
Author’s Summary
Brian Hirtle expressed shock and disappointment at Chris d’Entremont’s defection to the Liberals, viewing it as a betrayal of local Conservative supporters and community trust.