Harper’s Options on the Coalition Government
December 2, 2008 · By Greg Farries
Andrew Steele provides ten different options he feels are available to the Prime Minister.
He missed another option – proceed with the vote as scheduled next week. After losing the vote visit the Governor General and request the dissolution of parliament and an election call. If the GG rejects that request and hands the opposition parties the key’s to the government, Harper and his caucus could resign – effectively forcing the GG to dissolve parliament and hold a general election to fill the 70+ (mostly safe Conservative seats in western Canada) vacant seats.
If you think we’re in a crisis now, just imagine if that option was exercised
Update: Bourque has a poll up on this last option: 54% say yes to the mass resignation.
This is by far the best option. Clearly the coalition is legal within our constitution, so give the coalition just enough rope to hang themselves with it. Conservatives need to make sure they regain the moral high ground, so give up power respectfully and win it back!
James! I am in favour of anything that allows these thieving coalition rats to hang themselves.
Anything which forces an election is not going to be looked upon favourably by a great many people. If they did follow this option, the coalition would be able to blame the Conservatives as THE reason everyone had to go to the polls in the middle of winter.
Further, the Conservatives would be seen as ‘playing politics’ and preventing the government from functioning during an economic crisis, in a naked ploy to win back the power they lost, while everyone else just wants all the politicians to just do their jobs.
I think that Prime Minister Harper should let the money do the talking and stand up in parliament and let Canadians know that if they feel that the coalition government is not an option, that they should withhold their GST and federal income tax. If they are returned to power then Canadians would pay the taxes without penalties. This would negate the need for an election as the people would show where their confidence lies.
If its a matter of winning the next election, even a majority, then that is the worst move. As mentioned above, forcing a quick election so soon after the last one is going to have a LOT of people pissed off. Remember, 60% of the public at this point DON”T support Harper so its doubtful this is going to change their minds.
However, the ‘rope’ would come in time, all they need do is wait and ‘play nice’. Prove to the canadian people that they aren’t, well, what they have been. At some point the coalition will fray, or bring in policies that can be blasted through an election. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Mike: you’re making sense
I don’t agree with your total summation but that’s immaterial. If Harper *fights* this he will screw himself 100% now and forever so on that point you’re right. Linda you’re just stupid.