From Bvio

'''Derek James Walding''' (born May 9, 1937) is a former politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1971 to 1988, representing the New Democratic Party. Walding became increasingly skeptical about the direction of the NDP during the 1980s, however, and brought down the government of Howard Pawley in early 1988 by voting against his own party's budget. Walding was born in Rushden in Northamptonshire, England, and was educated at Wellingborough Grammar School. He worked as a dispensing optician before entering politics. In the Manitoba provincial election of 1969 Walding was a candidate for the NDP in the south-central Winnipeg riding of St. Vital, losing to Progressive Conservative Jack Hardy by 23 votes in a close three-way race. Hardy resigned in February 1971, and Walding won a by-election on April 5, defeating Liberal Daniel Kennedy by about 300 votes. Walding's victory helped consolidate the narrow legislative majority of NDP Premier Edward Schreyer. He faced another serious challenge from Daniel Kennedy in the 1973 election, but was victorious by 105 votes. The New Democrats were defeated in the 1977 provincial election, although Walding himself was re-elected with an increased plurality. After Schreyer's appointment as Governor-General of Canada in 1979, he supported Sidney Green's unsuccessful bid to become interim NDP leader. He later supported Howard Pawley's successful bid to replace Schreyer, although his future relations with Pawley were often strained. The NDP returned to government following the election of 1981. Walding was not appointed to cabinet, as some expected, but became Speaker of the legislature on February 25, 1982. In 1983 and 1984, Walding allowed the opposition Progressive Conservatives to stall the passage of the Pawley government's legal entrenchment of french-language rights, when the Conservatives refused to enter the legislative chamber to allow a vote on the government legislation. On February 21, 1984, Walding refused a direct request from Pawley to conduct two legislative votes on the issue. These actions made him unpopular with many in the NDP caucus, and with some members of his riding executive. Walding was challenged for the St. Vital NDP nomination in 1986, but won by a single vote. He was re-elected again in the general election which followed, albeit with a reduced majority, and was not re-appointed as Speaker. As a backbencher, Walding spoke out against the Pawley government on a variety of issues; he was particularly opposed to affirmative action legislation, which he regarded as discriminatory. On March 8, 1988, Walding voted against his government's budget, despite having previously assured Finance Minister Eugene Kostyra that he would support it. Walding's defection caused the NDP to be defeated in the legislature, and they also lost the election which followed (Walding was not a candidate). Walding claimed that he was no longer willing to provide support to a ministry in which he had lost so much confidence. There have been suggestions that the opposition Progressive Conservatives promised him a financial incentive for his actions, although this has never been proven. Walding has not been politically active since 1988. After leaving the legislature, he moved to British Columbia.