Dumping Granic Allen shows Ford’s evolution as a leader, Opinion, Online May 13

Jaime Watt’s opinion piece depicting Doug Ford as a deft politician begins with his observation that “You dance with the one that brung ya.” Well, yes, you do. So how to justify Ford’s crass treatment of Tanya Granic Allen after she delivered the leadership vote?

Watt maintains that Ford’s dumping of Granic-Allen, his sole leadership supporter, was a step in strategic consolidation of support, as well as a claim to the moral high ground. Really?

He plows on: Ford’s action demonstrates his “evolution as a leader” and his “sturdy grasp” of mathematics and sex-education curricula. Ha!

Watt’s reference to the Big Tent that the Brothers Ford “command” is to malign the inclusivity fostered by such statesmen as William G. Davis and Tommy Douglas.

His closing reference to French politician Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin’s memorable words is laughable: “There go my people. I must find out where they are going so I can lead them.”

I have one final adage: You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

Judy DeWitte, Kitchener, Ont.

On Mother’s Day, I was reflecting on the values I have tried to instill in my sons — loyalty, honesty and respect for others. Reading Jaime Watt’s opinion piece saddened me. The values that Watt appreciated in Ford — winning at all costs, using a person when it is advantageous to do so and taking a strategically timed moral high ground, is such a contrast to my view of life’s important values.