In Ottawa, all the talk is of a potential Liberal-NDP deal to form a united left. But surely the only coalition that makes sense is one that joins the Liberals and Conservatives.Umm........... I don't think so. Maybe some blue Liberals could join in with the Conservatives but as a whole, I don't think it would work. Liberals used to support corporate tax cuts, they don't no more. They support the NDP stance which is stop the tax cuts and maybe even to raise them.
This is not as far-fetched as it sounds. Rhetoric aside, the Liberals under Michael Ignatieff are far closer to the Conservatives than they are to Jack Layton’s New Democrats.
The governing and official opposition parties may quibble over details. But in broad terms, they are on the same page.
Maurizio Bevilacqua Liberal Immigartion critic had been working with Immigration and Citizenship Minister Jason Kenny for months on reforming the refugee system. They had made some progress until is was kiboshed by the others in the party. Jason had to find others to work with.
Also, the Libs have been leaning left in recent years with the infilitration of the NDP, take Bob Rae and Ujjal Dosanjh for example both former NDP premiers who didn't do much good for their provinces.
National Day Care, gun registry program, Kyoto, for instance are not exactly right wing policies. Those policies are more in line with the NDP not the CPC.
In fact the Libs are desperately trying to save the long gun registry right now that Conservative MP Candace Hoeppner is trying to scrap through her private members bill through some kind of procedural motion.
So a coalition with Libs and CPC, NO! Mr. Walkom has it wrong. Besides, the coup attempt in Dec. 2008 with the Dippers and the Bloc to overthrow the newly elected Conservative government has tainted the Libs for any collaboration with the Conservatives in a coalition or merger probably forever.
Just a hunch, but I would not be surprised to see a few Lib MPs cross the floor after the summer break.
ReplyDeleteAnd personally I feel it would be great if one of them was Maurizio Bevilacqua. He would be a good addition to caucus.
And personally I feel it would be great if one of them was Maurizio Bevilacqua. He would be a good addition to caucus.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Maurizio is one of the more reasonable Libs. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the CPC caucus. Glenn Pearson too, I think would comfortable sitting on the Conservative side of the house.
There is zero probability of a Liberal-Tory merger. The more likely scenario is an exodus of individual MPs to the Tories in the event of an official partnership with the NDP. I'm not sure if any will cross over the summer recess, but it is very likely more than one will if the Liberals merge with the NDP.
ReplyDeleteThe Conservative Party has enough "progressives" slithering around behind the scenes. Joining with the Liberals would dilute what little conservatism is left in the party to the point that they might as well just call themselves Liberals. We have sufficient left-wing, spend-until-we're-broke parties. At least let's have one, even though it's only a faux,conservative party left in this sad sack nation.
ReplyDeleteHate to break it to you Powell, but there are lots of fiscally conservative, socially liberal supporters of the CPC...including myself.
ReplyDeleteI don't call myself "progressive" because it is an overused term, but if the shoe fits I suppose.
I thought that the LIEberals were already back-benchers of the Conservative Party, after all they vote/abstain to support Conservative policies - and even vote against their own ammendments. Like DeYawn, Biffy cannot bring himself to stand for anything that the Canadians want.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, the Conservatives should be thankful for the LIEberals support and even mention it in the House of Commons.
Clown Party of Canada
If conservatives and liberals merge then there will need to be a 'real conservative' political party formed to address the needs of disgruntled conservatives. (real conservative)
ReplyDelete