NationStates Jolt Archive

Canadian politics is getting pretty funny. A Liberal minority standing at the edge of the electoral cliff egging on the surrounding oppositions to give them a push.

"Go ahead - knock us down! C'mon you wusses - either stand up for what you are saying are your principles - or shut the hell up!"

the opposition standing around going "You first. No you first"

At issue?

Timing.

The NDP thought that by supporting the Liberals they would have leverage to get the concessions on heath care that they want. So they stood with the Liberals against the last attempt to topple the government by the Conservatives.

Harper lost that motion, and was soundly bitchslapped with the label of "incompetent boob" for it. Because as court politics have long held - you don't stab the King in the back without killing him and get to go unpunished for the attempt. So, in modern terms, if you don't have the votes - DON'T try!

And the Liberals have promised to call a full election in February after the release of the full Gomery inquiry anyway. This gives them something for now: virtual immunity.

Harper can't afford politically to try and fail again, so he will not call for a confidence motion. Instead he's telling everyone "you push first and I'll help, but I won't make the first move." He can't make the move because the Libs could then kiss up to the NDP, win back their support, and leave Stephen twisting in the wind for a second time. He wouldn't survive it.

The Bloq know that without there being an issue on the table that Quebecers really object to as the trigger to go to war over, then being the cause of the downfall of the government gets them labelled even more as petty obstructionists, and pisses off their people by making them go through an electoral cycle over Christmas. So there is no benefit for them. But they'll be happy to help push too. After the fact.


The NDP? They don't want to be the cause of a December election either as they can least afford to lose any votes to backlash, and besides that they have a vested interest in the outcomes of the first ministers meetings on aboriginal issues in late November. So they are waffling on being the ones to push first. Layton also acknowledges that there are several important bits of legislation on social and environmental issues that would get scuttled if the government fails. Issues that he rallied the troops to support. He also winds up looking like a twit because he was the one that propped the government up a few months ago.


Which leaves the Liberals in a hilarious position. Normally a mionority leader is running around making deals to get votes to get things done.

Martin?

He's got a three month window to push through various bills that appeal to various people while also getting to poke the other leaders repeatedly in the nose - daring them to make a move. Which the other leaders seem incapable or unwilling to do.

The end result?

The NDP and Alliance look completely unwilling to stand up for their principles at the very moment that they are screaming about them loudly.

"We hate you corrupt evil Liberals! We're gonna nail your asses to the wall. We're gonna bitch-slap you in the next election. Your asses are grasses and we're the lawnmowers because we have all the right answers!"

"Really? Go ahead. Force the election. You have the ability. We're ready and willing to put it before the people. C'mon! You know you want to. Push!!!!"

*insert a round of "you first. No you first. No, after you!" between the various opposition parties before they rejoin with*

"Yeah, well, we would. But we won't. Because, you see... it's like this. You're evil! But we're gonna sit back and let you be evil for a little while longer.... it's Christmas you know...."

"Oh. Well here's a thought. Either topple us or shut the fuck up. Chickenshits."

"Uhhh.... it's OK. You can keep going for now. But we're gonna remind everyone about your supreme evil-icitude in February!"


"Yeah. Whatever......fuck off"



Political high comedy.

That analysis summed it up pretty nicely.
I love Canadian politics for one reason: So many parties. They all have to wheel and deal. I have to say that the timing has worked out pretty darn well for the Liberals, and I hope they wind up in a minority situation again. I much prefer it when they have to strike deals with others, instead of just being able to muscle through their agenda.

Haha, great post, great analysis as you have pretty much pegged it right on the money.

And of course after this exercise in futility the Liberals will come out on top in the next election as usual. Brilliant, simply brilliant.

Man, I love my country! :)

yeah, it's been a fun year all around, canpolitics-wise. the minority's really been working for me. i don't know about everyone else but i've loved it...

That analysis summed it up pretty nicely.
I love Canadian politics for one reason: So many parties. They all have to wheel and deal. I have to say that the timing has worked out pretty darn well for the Liberals, and I hope they wind up in a minority situation again. I much prefer it when they have to strike deals with others, instead of just being able to muscle through their agenda.
Positively Byzintine! :eek:

The comedy just got a new punchline.

How does the NDP try to get around thier little quandry? (http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051109/election_ndp_051109)

NDP leader Jack Layton says his party will introduce a motion on November 24 that demands the Liberals hold a February election.

"We will call for an election to be called in early January for a voting day in mid-February," Layton told a news conference in Vancouver Wednesday.

Layton says the motion will call on Prime Minister Paul Martin to dissolve the House of Commons in the first week of January and call an immediate election.

"The NDP cannot and will not express confidence in a government that won't get things done on key issues," Layton told the news conference.

The NDP plan would avoid scuppering a first ministers meeting on aboriginal issues set for Nov. 24-25, and would also take into account other opposition parties' reluctance to campaign over the Christmas holidays.

However it remains unclear whether the motion would be considered a traditional confidence matter, which could topple the government immediately.

It's also unclear if the Liberals would be bound by anything but a true confidence motion.




Oooooooooooooohhhhh the PRETEND push!

You see, the problem is that such a motion would have absolutely zero legal weight. It's not unclear. It's unprecendented. As such, the liberals themselves could vote for it and then not be bound by it while they kicked it upstairs to the Su[preme Court for a ruling.

Jack - The only way an election gets called without forcing and winning a vote of non-confidence is if the Prime Minister decided to call the election. You know that. Trying to NOT have the non-confidence vote but still being able to control the timing of the election is a legal non-starter.

A stunt.

And a bad one at that.

So Jack Leyton once again proves himself..... wimpy.


"We COULD force the election now, and we hate this governmwent, but instead we want to force it later by means of a pretty-please vote."


"Jack? Paul here. Pass whatever motion you want. Then fuck off!"