caretaker

Bear in mind the only place the word coalition is found in this article is in the opinion of pollster Frank Graves, whoever he is. It's a long way from policy. Democracy's like any other system; it's like socialism or communism or monarchy in that the people have to believe in it and participate or they're always going to feel downtrodden. If you slide your vote for the ndp or libs or green party into the box in a riding that's solid tory you know it's only good for $2 in funding for your party but at least you've voted and piped up someplace other than here. That system where people trade votes sounds good - I'd like to swap mine in Sask. with someone in Cowichan who wasn't planning on voting green just to help May get in on the debates in future.
"Vote wisely and vote often."
Al Capone

and don't jump on me for finding a commonality between democracy and communism and monarchy - I'm a janitor not a political scientist

Novocastrian

I don't much care whether the Liberals or the NDP are in second place.

What I care about is that according to that poll, Harper is at 34%. That's certainly not majority territory.

If Frank Graves' opinion of how these figures would translate into seats is anywhere near right, this would mean the end of Harper.

That would be a good thing for the country (and believe it or not, for the Conservative Party as well).

caretaker

Isn't it crucial to have the best opposition possible? I don't like it when the opposition stalls or scuttles government business we actually need passed just because it conflicts with their party's interests. I'm pretty red but if Layton became official leader of the opposition would he be able to do the job? Let's imagine the Liberals pursue their own party line instead of being constructive, possibly because of a leadership race, would Jack's new friends in Quebec, (should they vote with the polls), provide enough votes in the house to keep the government in check? Too bad we can't just shake the whole works of them over our heads like an etch-a-sketch sometimes and start a new screen.

macadian

I feel you are wasted as a Janitor Sir. Political pundit might work.....though some may surmise you have way to much vision....

jimf

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cana...n-042611.html#

You're so special..........vote for me.

JonboyE

I believe Jim Prentice has positioned himself for a run at the leadership when Harper is forced out. I think he will make a much better PM.

jimf

I didn't think he was standing as an MP this time around or did he just resign from the cabinet?

Steve_P

Not standing for election this time. He got some high powered position with the CIBC if I remember correctly.

iaink

I seem to remember more than one politician not being an MP when chosen as party leader. Its just a technicality... resignation of faithful party MP followed by by election victory in safe seat and its all good.

Novocastrian

I think so to. Prentice wouldn't be a bad choice.

General impressions to the contrary, I'm not rabidly anti-conservative, I'm just convinced that if Harper were ever to get a majority, political life in Canada would become nasty, brutish and short.

jimf

And politics BHM was ever nice, sophisticated and long?

Clearly Prentice is more of a moderate but will that really make politics any nicer?

I suspect Harper won't get a majority and he will leave within a year or two.

Steve_P

I have to also admit to not being a rabid anti-conservative.

I voted Conservative provincially up until Ralphie got to be leader and also nationally until the Reform Party took over the Conservative Party.

jimf

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...ectoral-reform

Canadian election is a done deal anyway. This is a much more interesting political issue. Whatever the result one member of coalition is going to be weakened and then have to act tough to please its supporters in future negotiations. I thought it would be a certain no vote but you never know. The suggestion seems to be that AV wouldn'thave changed previous election results very much but what is likely is that it will make the fight for the centrist floating voter with a 2nd transferable vote even tighter.

Novocastrian

Important stuff.

Why don't you start a thread about it instead of trying to distract attention from the theme of this one?

caretaker

Your original post was about Canadian involvement in Libya so that dog don't hunt Novo, but let's say for the sake of argument that Canadian politics is central to the thread.