That Was The Election That Was

[heliumbreath]

Before the world completely passes me by again, a few thoughts about last night's Canadian federal election. Locally, I was supporting a couple of campaigns, mostly with putting up signs and a bit of other work. Out here between the cornfields where I live, Bev Oda won re-election with over 50% of the vote this time, while in town I was helping

Comments

[oldgrover]

I'll be interesting to see how this Parliament functions and what the long term result of this is. It is pretty clear that the Liberals need to do something major to get back together - there's far too much vote splitting on the left, just as there was on the Right with the Reform/PC situation. I wonder if they can swallow up the Greens or something.

[zanate]

I would say that the 6.5% that voted Green this time represents a new pool of voters to be won by someone's environmental platform... but really, if it didn't work for Dion, who would it work for?

My dad voted Green, incidentally-- but being in Dufferin-Caledon, I think he figured the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

As for how parliament functions... the numbers mean it'll take pretty unanimous opposition to face the Conservatives down. And the Liberals won't be hungry for another election until they solve the Dion problem ("How do you solve a problem like Cel-ine?"), while if the economy's in the toilet the Conservatives won't be eager to do this again either.

[oldgrover]

What'll be interesting is Harper's attitude - whether he'll again try governing as if he does have a majority and whether he'll make everything a confidence issue again (which, combined with the opposition's gun shy nature) is what allowed him to do so last time.

I suspect he'll just bribe the hell out of Quebec, bring the BQ onside and govern as if he did get the majority he wanted.

[zanate]

In which case the BQ will have basically fulfilled its purpose.

I may not be much of a fan of the Bloc, but they're kind of interesting in that "rogue player" way-- truly unique to Canadian politics.