Here, on how this week's federal by-elections seem to confirm that another minority Parliament is a real possibility in 2015 - even as the main parties all rule out any discussion of what would happen under that scenario.
For further reading...
- I make reference in the column to John Ivison's rough calculations as to how a 2015 seat count might look. But his greater thesis seems to utterly miss the point that if the Cons finish with just a few more seats than each of the NDP and Libs (and far less than the two combined), they'll be scrambling to cut a deal rather than celebrating.
- Meanwhile, Alice points out that the Libs aren't exactly making it easy to find common ground with the NDP. But I'd think there's room for all parties - and particularly those who want to claim to do politics differently than the Cons - to talk honestly about what their priorities will be following the 2015 election if nobody holds majority power.
- Finally, Murray Mandryk's analysis of the by-elections is also worth a read.
Greg,
ReplyDeleteThe NDP could easily sign an agreement with Justin Trudeau. But the NDP would not survive the experience with its dignity intact.
Though you would like to ignore it, Justin Trudeau just showed you what he is capable of. In a clear & calculated manner, Trudeau demonstrated to New Democrats that he could get away with the big lie. His media assets report his fiction as-fact. His followers spread his deceit as-gospel. He continues to collect his tithes.
Perhaps too early & foolishly, Justin Trudeau has revealed that he will exploit the asymmetry in our federal political culture. Like a woman in Afghanistan, the NDP can be targeted with any obscenity...and it is considered a cultural norm. Rest assured, if the lady dares to fight back...she will be subject to all the scrutiny & condemnation the Media Party can muster.
You cannot achieve mutually beneficial agreements in such an environment. The NDP could be setup in any number of ways, and we would have no recourse.
If it comes to that, let the Liberals & Conservatives share a bed. We could use the time to clean house & plot a future victory.
Better opposition than serfdom,
Dan Tan
As I note in the column, that's indeed one of the options open to the NDP. But it does come with a price: the loss of any say over policy in the next Parliament, coupled with the lack of any guarantee it will actually improve our political position.
ReplyDeleteFor that reason, I'd think it's still worth at least discussing what type of cooperative structure we could accept as not placing undue trust in the Libs. And at worst, I'd think 2011 should serve as a hint that being the lone party willing to talk maturely about how to function in a minority Parliament isn't necessarily a weak strategic position.
Greg,
ReplyDeleteOur sisters in British Labour are doing just fine opposing the Liberal & Conservative alliance. They have made it clear that their vision for the UK is irreconcilable with that of their rivals. The public respect the need for an "escape valve" & support such dissent.
That said, we need not dwell on your hypothetical outcome. The NDP & Conservatives ought to focus on correcting the deceptive & decade-long Media Party indoctrination that has inflicted this personality cult upon our federation. Within a month, we have seen sexism, dictatorship, and desecration-of-the-dead defended in service of "dear leader".
Don't settle for this,
Dan Tan