If we're to go to the polls anytime soon, I hope it's Layton that sets the wheels in motion -- but I don't trust Layton to say what he means, or mean what he says.
All of this yap could simply be another attempt to extort an agenda from a precarious governing party. His talk is intentionally wishy-washy and vague, so whichever way he decides to go, he'll appear as though he was following through.
Jack's time in the driver's seat is growing short, and he strikes me as the sort of guy who wants to appear to be in control. The Liberals are arrogant enough to think they could win if we go to polls soon. They don't figure they need Jack anymore, and I doubt they're going to flatter his ego yet again by twisting their plans into knots to please the NDP. They figure -- why bother? -- the Conservatives aren't soaring in the polls, and although they (the Liberals) are flat-lining, when push comes to shove 'the devil you know' will undoubtedly be the safe bet with an electorate almost in hibernation for the winter.
This being the case, it makes sense that Jack would want to shake things up. He'd look like a hero:
He made 'this parliament work' last spring.
He got promises out of the government to suit his party's agenda.
He managed to distance himself from the 'separatists'.
And, he will end up appearing more competent a leader than Harper because when Jack decides to trigger a non-confidence vote, all of the opposition parties will be onside.
He will appear to be savvy, sensitive to the public mood and conciliatory when necessary. By setting an election in motion, he will end this session with the illusion of power, and he'll give a boost of morale to his base.
That said, when we do go to the polls, I think Jack will lose big-time.
All of this could be good for the Conservatives, but it won't be necessarily be bad for the Liberals. When all is said and done we might just end up in the same spot as last time . . . and, despite what pundits say about people liking a minority parliament -- I don't think so. Most people would just rather vote in a majority and let them get on with it and govern so they can ignore politics.
canadianna
4 comments:
This whole mess makes me miss Chuck Cadman all the more!
Good post!
Ontario still holds the majority of the electorate hostage to its whims, and I think it will take a minor miracle to shake them out of their complacency. And I don't think anything Layton says or does will make much of a difference, except, as you point out, to his own fortunes, or lack thereof.
Maybe somebody should notice that Jack's proposal shows a complete lack of understanding of parliamentary procedure. It is hard to believe that this nitwit has been in the House for more than a week, and even harder to see the experts try not to say how pitiful is this attempt at a non-confidence without confidence.
Jack Layton knows he can't save the Martinites (rhymes with Kryptonites), no matter what happens. But he doesn't have the courage (use your own stronger word here) to trigger the no-confidence vote himself.
Jack Layton, as I wrote earlier, is Mr. Irrelevant.
Good to see you again, C.
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