By:  Jonathon Sher

They gathered by the hundreds today at Reg Cooper Square in London to defend Stephen Harper and accuse coalition leaders who want to replace him of being thieves, liars, thugs and traitors.

Three hundred people chanted “shame” at a rally that drew Conservative leaders and supporters from as far away as Sarnia.

“I believe (Pierre) Trudeau would be pirouetting in his grave,” said Tim Hodges, one of several conservative activists to fire up a crowd that braved cold winds and snow to outnumber a rally two days earlier for supporters of a coalition of Liberals, New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois.

Harper’s government was granted a reprieve a few days ago when the Governor General allowed Parliament to recess until January, delaying a vote that was expected to lead to a coalition government led by Liberals and New Democrats and supported by the Bloc.

But the delay of that struggle for power did little to blunt the anger evident at the rally — many held signs that mocked coalition leaders or vented anger at them:government led by Liberals and New Democrats and supported by the Bloc.

Harper’s government was granted a reprieve a few days ago when the Governor General allowed Parliament to recess until January, delaying a vote that was expected to lead to a coalition government led by Liberals and New Democrats and supported by the Bloc.

- The Liberal-Separatist Coalition — An Axis of Evil.

- No to the Three Tenors.

- Layton-Dion: Guilty of Treason.

Many also carried Canadian flags, including Jim Holden, who carried his from his home in Sarnia. “Everybody needs to show up and support the government that the Liberals and NDP are trying to steal,” he said.

Among the speakers were Conservative MP Joe Preston (Elgin-Middlesex-London) and London city councillor Paul Van Meerbergen, who lost a bid in October to win a federal seat in London North-Centre.

Van Meerbergen accused the opposition parties of creating an “unholy alliance” and mocked Liberal leader Stephane Dion, calling him the “Mr. Bean of Canadian politics” — a reference to a television character who bungles even the simplest of tasks.

But Preston took the role of a statesman, encouraging conservatives to reach out to those other parties for the good of the country.

“I ask you to please reach out — don’t strike out. Give them a big hug if you can,” Preston said.

Watching them was Jim Johnson, who carried an “Axis of Evil” sign. As far as he’s concerned, the Opposition leaders are trying to overturn the will of the Canadian electorate. “Anyone who takes your rights away is evil.”