On role models

Thankfully, it's probably too late for Harper to emulate the example. But the leader of the Cons' UK counterpart is putting on a clinic on how to win over moderates without losing his base:

David Cameron will today reveal his determination to embrace green politics, including the threat posed by climate change, when he appoints three environmentalists, including Zac Goldsmith, the multimillionaire editor of the Ecologist, to lead a rethink on environmental issues.

Mr Cameron, who spent yesterday completing his shadow cabinet reshuffle, also appointed John Gummer, the former agriculture minister, and Peter Ainsworth, chairman of the environmental audit select committee.

In an article in the Guardian, ahead of a meeting with green groups today, Mr Cameron says he wants a new group chaired by Mr Gummer to "formulate a long-term strategy that will make Britain a better place to live without constraining economic growth".

It's difficult to imagine Harper (or any of the current top Cons) having the foresight to make that type of move. But if the Cons had taken that type of initiative, they'd almost certainly win a ton of the support now parked with the Greens, and likely take away more than a few NDP votes as well. And that ability to appeal across the spectrum would then utterly deflate PMPM's attempts to paint Harper as an extremist.

Mind you, the UK Conservatives don't have Alberta to try to appease, and it could be that any willingness to be environmentally responsible would be taken as sacrilege by Harper's current base. But if Harper was really interested in trying to take power based on a positive vision, Cameron's idea would have been a far more viable one than one which leaves out "a better place to live" as a priority.