Election 2008: May’s Marriage of Inconvience
September 8, 2008 · By Matthew Campbell
If you cozy up to another party, don’t complain when everyone else treats you like you’re married. That’s exactly what Elizabeth May will almost certainly do now that the networks has turned down her request to be in the Leaders’ Debate at the beginning of October. The fact that the collective refusal of the Conservatives, Bloc, and NDP to put their leaders beside May’s podium is only an excuse of convenience, but that more than enough to seal the fate of the Green Party for another two, maybe four, years.
To her credit, May has been actively seeking to enhance the awareness that we, the voters, have of her party, and scored a strategic, if unprincipled, victory in convincing West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast MP Blair Wilson to join her party (something, that was as hard as attracting flies to the Green Shift, if Wilson’s reputation of desperately wanting to have a party banner to hold this election is to be believed). Still, May’s will be a story of one who did so much good for her party’s fortunes at the same time that she did so much damage. For every point she scored by finishing second in a by-election or attracting a star candidate to her roster, she self-inflicted her party with a gaffe about our Prime Minister being like former National Socialist leader Adolf Hitler or by making the distinction between her Green and Liberal Red so blurry that the murky maroon gave the other three parties an convincing argument that she would only serve as Stephane Dion’s “Mini Me” during a Leaders’ Debate.
As for what the future holds, it’s pretty certain that there won’t be any green left in the commons aside from the upholstery after October 14th, and that May may in fact damage her party’s chances in the future of getting into the coveted television event by threatening the networks with legal action, and a hefty bill in legal costs. May herself might not be around next time to fight again if the Greens see the already-controversial marriage of convenience to Dion as the reason why they won’t ride 15% in returns this year to their first elected caucus in Canada. But, at least the Greens can look on the bright side: Stephane will be there, rallying for their cause all night on the first and second of October, as he becomes the best national leader the Greens ever had, at the same time he cements his role as the worst Liberal leader in history at the same time!
A case could be made against Gilles Duceppe as well for not fielding 308 candidates. It’s my opinion that Canadians should get a showdown between the two parties who have a real shot at forming a government. After which let the rumps have at ‘er.
What we need are a series of regional debates.
Then the topics can cover issues important to each region.
-West, BC Ab, Sask, Man (tho Manitoba may prefer to be in the Central debates)
-Central, Ontario, Quebec
-Maritimes.
I guess the networks only wanted 4 boobs on the debate stage and not 6!
I guess the networks only wanted 4 boobs on the debate stage and not 6!
Nick – that’s classic! LOL!!
I think having May would have been a good idea.
Her presence would only serve to further fracture the left-wing vote. It leaves the centre-right open for Harper who IMO should win the election.
It is doing this country a disservice when a leader of any political party is denied access to debate. 600,000+ people want to hear what she says, thats 600,000+ who don’t care what the others have to say. But we are always force fed the same BS by the same parties whenever its debate time, it sure would be nice to see something new. Why should the rest of Canada see Gille Duceppe spouting his anti Canada rhetoric, in a Canadian election? I’m no green supporter but I am for democracy and this shows a lack there of. Honestly, i grow tired of the 4 goofs saying the same crap over and over, it is time for something new.
According to the CBC this morning, the situation is quite different from what earlier reports had claimed.
Apparently, the Liberals, NDP, and BQ have no problem with Ms. May in the debate. 2 of them (including the Liberals) refused to take part without the prime minister. Harper is the only leader who refused to include May.
Just another example of the type of behaviour we can expect from the Cons.
Back in the early 90s, the Reform and Bloc parties were allowed to participate in the debates despite having only one MP each, as well as running a limited number of candidates (i.e. not even all ridings!). If thepolitic.com were around then, I’m sure they would find some way of defending that allowance.
The Greens are polling over 1 million Canadians for this upcoming election. There is no reason other than partisan politics keeping Ms. May from the debates. It cannot be defended with any rationality. Period.
Editor’s note:The BQ, at the end of the 34th Parliament, actually had 3 MPs, including one elected MP: current BQ leader Gilles Duceppe. The Reform MP, Deb Grey, was also elected via a 1989 by-election
“According to the CBC this morning, the situation is quite different from what earlier reports had claimed.
Apparently, the Liberals, NDP, and BQ have no problem with Ms. May in the debate. 2 of them (including the Liberals) refused to take part without the prime minister. Harper is the only leader who refused to include May.
Just another example of the type of behaviour we can expect from the Cons.”
Ah yes…another one indoctrinated by the ever unbiased CBC.