Oct 28 2008
And They’re Off!
No sooner had our federal election ended when the knives came out for Stephane Dion. Interestingly, even though pretty much every party did not match it’s pre-election goals, only one party was sure to string up their leader, throw him under the bus or whatever other euphimism you would like to use - the Liberal Party.
Stephen Harper was able to survive the fact that he couldn’t lead his party to a majority government. Jack Layton’s followers are seemingly thrilled at their 37 seat performance, even though it leaves them once again in fourth place in the country. Gilles Duceppe continues to exist in Quebec.
Ever since the days of Jean Chrétien versus Paul Martin it seems like the Liberals are as divided within as they are with the Conservatives. With each and every scrap that comes to light Stephen Harper must actually be giggling away in his office. I know I would be.
It’s much the same situation we witnessed when the Conservatives themselves were split. The Reform Party, The Canadian Alliance Party, the bizarre temporary offshoot of MP’s headed by Chuck Strahl. The right had so many options that it seemed like the Liberals might rule forever. Obviously that wasn’t the case…
So now here we are with an emboldened Harper, a more than lame duck Dion hanging on for some reason and the also-rans (as much as it pains me to say) Layton and Duceppe.
How much longer are Canadians going to be resigned to their fate of flipping a coin? Regardless of the outcome of the Liberal leadership race, it is going to be a challenge for a new leader to really establish themselves and the Liberal Party as a serious option. They aren’t as left as the NDP or the Greens and certainly not as right as the Conservatives. More and more the “centre” as they call themselves, are viewed more as fence sitters. Abstaining from so many votes in the last session of parliament did nothing to dispell that particular notion.
One can only hope that for the sake of their own party, the Liberals can actually be unified after this process. Although, with recent history, you’ll excuse me if I don’t hold my breath.
