Editing Democratic Representative Caucus (section)

== Formation ==
Following the Alliance's disappointing performance in the [[2000 Canadian federal election|2000 election]], Day came under severe criticism from his own party, and several high-profile Alliance MPs began publicly calling for him to step down. Through the spring of 2001, several members of the Alliance resigned their shadow cabinet seats, the most high-profile resignation being that of deputy leader [[Deborah Grey]].

On May 2, [[Art Hanger]] was the first Alliance MP formally suspended from caucus for criticizing Day.<ref>"Alliance MP suspended for calling on Day to resign despite new strategic plan". ''[[Whitehorse Star]]'', May 3, 2001.</ref> Over the next two months, 11 other Alliance MPs were either suspended from caucus or resigned. On May 16, Hanger was followed by [[Chuck Strahl]], [[Gary Lunn]], [[Jim Pankiw]], [[Val Meredith]], [[Grant McNally]], [[Jay Hill (politician)|Jay Hill]] and [[Jim Gouk]].<ref>"Eight Alliance rebels are traitors, Day says: Leader vows to stay on, but Ralph Klein suggests it may be Joe Clark who unites the right". ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'', May 16, 2001.</ref> In late June, they were joined by [[Monte Solberg]],<ref>"Day shuffles shadow cabinet". ''[[Waterloo Region Record]]'', June 19, 2001.</ref> [[Andy Burton (politician)|Andy Burton]]<ref>"Saskatchewan MP may be next to forsake Day". ''[[Nanaimo Daily News]]'', June 27, 2001.</ref> and [[Brian Fitzpatrick (Canadian politician)|Brian Fitzpatrick]],<ref>"And then there were 11". ''[[Sudbury Star]]'', June 28, 2001.</ref> and in the first week of July by Grey<ref>"Grey joins Alliance rebellion; First Lady of Reform calls for Day's ouster". ''[[Windsor Star]]'', July 4, 2001.</ref> and [[Inky Mark]].<ref>"Day says he's not quitting: MP Inky Mark joins defectors; Alliance chief chides 'sore losers'". ''[[Montreal Gazette]]'', July 5, 2001.</ref>

At this time Day attempted to solve the crisis by offering to take a temporary [[leave of absence]] from the leadership if the dissidents returned to the party, but he withdrew the offer after the dissident MPs refused his conditions.<ref>"Dissidents reject Day's offer to take a `leave of absence': Leader proposes delayed departure as a way to avoid further divisions". ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'', July 9, 2001.</ref> Through the summer, the MPs sat as "Independent Alliance Caucus", and were jokingly dubbed the "[[Rebel Alliance]]" by political commentators.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ibbitson|first1=John|authorlink1=John Ibbitson|title=Stephen Harper|date=2015|publisher=McClelland & Stewart|location=Toronto|isbn=9780771047091|page=146|quote=Others joined the 'Rebel Alliance' as reporters dubbed it. The Democratic Representative Caucus, as the dissidents preferred to be called...}}</ref>

In early September, a new offer was made to the MPs in which they would be readmitted to the Alliance caucus if they promised to refrain from criticizing Day's leadership.<ref>"Rebel MPs' return risks party status; But 4 of 12 won't rejoin Alliance". ''[[Hamilton Spectator]]'', September 7, 2001.</ref> The MPs surveyed their constituents, and the offer was accepted by Hanger, Gouk, Solberg, Fitzpatrick and Burton.<ref>"Rebels return to Alliance: PCs hope some still join parliamentary coalition". ''[[Kamloops Daily News]]'', September 10, 2001.</ref> The remaining seven MPs refused, and formed the Democratic Representative Caucus on September 12, with Strahl as its parliamentary leader and Grey as deputy leader.<ref>"Tories, rebel Alliance select Clark to lead Commons coalition". ''[[Kamloops Daily News]]'', September 11, 2001.</ref> This was not intended as a new political party, but simply as a group caucus. The MPs immediately entered a coalition agreement with the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada|Progressive Conservatives]].<ref name=coalition>"Clark to lead new coalition". ''[[Guelph Mercury]]'', September 11, 2001.</ref>