Rathgeber Resigns From Con$ Caucus

Brent Rathgeber Quits Tory Caucus Over 'Lack Of Commitment To Transparency'

Hmmm...the first concrete move taken since Harper's "base" of social conservatives started to squirm significantly after the 2011 election.  

I'm not at all sure whether this represents a significant crack in the conservative base.  Rathgeber has been pretty clear that he's part of the so-con base.  (some of his comments on Bill C-279 and abortionabortion motion M-312  lead me to make this claim)

It would be nice to see a few more of Harper's backbenchers pack their bags as well.  For now, I'm going to assume that this is an isolated incident, and most of Harper's caucus remains quite cowed by the PMO and the level of control that it exercises.

For those counting, Harper's "strong stable majority" just got reduced to 7 seats.