Smells like Election... Again. Or Still. Or Whatever.

[bcholmes]

Therefore, this parliament's life is likely limited. Limited not by the choice of any opposition party, but by the unethical behaviour of the Liberal party. I believe in these circumstances, Canada should not have to wait months to determine how best to get things done. And that time is approaching sooner not later.

-- Jack Layton, speech to the Empire Club

Comments

[the-nita.livejournal.com]

Interesting, considering that Layton's party has almost more to lose from an election. He can't seriously think the NDP is in contention for even a minority government position? He's about to give up having, realistically, the most power he's likely to get, in exchange for?

Should be interesting to watch.

[futabachan.livejournal.com]

The NDP came within an inch of holding the balance of power for a coalition government in the last election, and managed to wangle some influence out of that near miss anyway. The NDP is also the natural home for voters (outside Quebec) who are disgruntled with the Liberals and the sponsorship scandal, but leery of the conservatives. Also, if the heat is on the Liberals and the NDP are the only ones who can keep them in power, they can shake loose some more concessions.

All in all, it sounds like good strategy to me.

[boywhocantsayno.livejournal.com]

The NDP is also the natural home for voters (outside Quebec) who are disgruntled with the Liberals and the sponsorship scandal, but leery of the conservatives.

Perhaps so, but protest votes for the NDP come almost exclusively from those disaffected Liberals. As a result, a protest vote for the NDP results in a Conservative minority government - exactly the opposite of what the protest voter really wants.

Re: Smells like Election... Again. Or Still. Or Whatever.

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

*sniff*sniff*.

smells to me like strategy talk, to squeeze more concessions out of the liberals. which is just fine by me. :)

elections -- *bleagh*. even march is too soon for my taste. i wonder how many canadians actually want to have elections already again.

[kat-chan.livejournal.com]

Get back to me after I vote tomorrow. ;)

Actually, rather than being just another boring municipal elections year, though, we actually have some meaty elections-reform issues on the ballot, as well. Something worth dragging myself the 1/4 mile on foot (hey, I'm an American...I'm not supposed to walk anywhere!) to go to the polls. Too bad we don't have a repeal of the marriage amendment on the ballot. I know that I'd be doubly motivated by that.

[sonjaaa.livejournal.com]

Oh and happy scorpionic birthday. :)

[didactic-cudgel.livejournal.com]

happy birfday!