Advice to Liberals: Lose and then Reflect

Jeffrey Simpson writes:

Mr. Ignatieff, therefore, has to appeal beyond the travails of today to offer a better tomorrow and, in so doing, reconnect with those convictions that once defined the Liberal Party. Giving effect to those convictions – a strong central government, an activist state and an internationalist foreign policy – will take money that the federal government doesn’t have, and won’t have without raising taxes.

It’s good advice, but it’ll never happen under the current minority government situation; with the Liberal Party a whisper and a vote away from being the next government.

The Liberal Party of Canada needs to spend one term, possibly two, sitting in the opposition benches of a majority Conservative government before any real perspective on governing is achieved. The Liberal party had grown stale and corrupt under the heavy hand of Prime Minister Chretien (as any government would after 12 years) and the constant saber-rattling from the official opposition has done nothing to quell the stench of that staleness. I think the parade of new Liberal party leaders further proves the party needs to do some deep reflection before it can be handed the keys to Canadian government.

It should also be said that if Conservative supporters across the country (both big “C” and little “c”) feel like they didn’t get a chance to effect change – without the hindrance of a minority government situation – they are unlikely to consider any other party in the near future.

Polarization of the vote and constant minority governments may become the norm in Canadian politics, and that should strike fear in any Canadian concerned about the future of Canadian democracy.

The Liberal Party needs to lose and lose badly.

Harper’s Options on the Coalition Government

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.