Contest for Rob Anders' job triggers Tory infighting

A tusslebetween Tories is brewing in Calgary where a group is preparing to challenge Conservative backbench MP Rob Anders for the nomination in his riding for the next federal election in 2015.

In an interview airing Tuesday on CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Anderstold host Evan Solomon"these people are Red Tories who are going to recruit Liberals and New Democrats because they know they don't have enough numbers in and of themselves."

Andershas been elected to representthe riding of Calgary West since 1997.

But David McKenzie, a Calgary lawyer who is part of the group challenging Anders, said the constituents are "disappointed" and "fed up" with their MP, even "embarrassed" by him.

During that same interview, McKenzie told Solomon "unfortunately,when Mr.Andersfinds himself in the media it's generally not for good reason."

"Mr.Andershas had a hard time staying awake in the House of Commons, staying awake in committee meetings and I think his stance with respect to Nelson Mandela going back a number of years doesn't jive with the views of Conservatives in Calgary West," McKenzie said.

Andersblamed a past car accident for falling asleep inside the House of Commons and apologized to veteransafter they criticized him for falling asleep during a veterans affairs committee meeting.

The Conservative backbencherwas the only MP opposed to giving Mandelahonorary Canadian citizenship in 2001.

Red vs. Blue Tories

Meanwhile, Anders said the challenge to his nomination has nothing to do with his views or his credibility as an MP.

He said it's simply "an age-oldbattle" between Red and Blue Tories.

"The Red Tories are like a flu that just won't go away," Anders said.

McKenzie fired back saying"It's a battle for his job."

"It's not about Red and Blues from my perspective, it's about representation. Everybody that I'm talking to is as Blue as Mr. Anders thinks himself to be, includingmyself."

"It's about changing our representation so that we've got somebody who better reflects the viewpoints of the residents in Calgary West," McKenzie said.

Former Alberta cabinet minister Ron Liepert is also part of the group challenging Anders' nomination, although he has yet to say whether he will run against Anders.

"Liepert is a well-known Red Tory andRed Tories don't stand a chance unless they recruit Liberals," Anderssaid.

McKenzie said the group is recruiting voters who voted Conservative but have becomedissatisfied with the representation in the Commons.

This is not the first time voters have openly challengedAnders.

In 2012, a Calgary man upset withAnders over comments he made after introducing a private member's bill launched a petition to see him removed from office.

Geoff Norquay, a Red Tory who worked in the Prime Minister's Office under Brian Mulroney, said the battle between Red and Blue Tories was put to bed whenStephen Harper was elected leader of the ConservativeParty.

Appearing on a panel,Norquaydid not take sides but told Solomon the nomination challenge for the newriding of Calgary Signal Hill in 2015 is shaping up to be "a great battle."

No date has been set for the nomination in Calgary Signal Hill.