Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
Dec 3rd 2008, 1:54 am
#61
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Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
Dec 3rd 2008, 1:57 am
#62
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,023
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
Perhaps not, however Dion would be held to ransome so to speak at every turn by his two co-conspiritors, who one way or another will try to spend their way into the hearts of their respective supporters...and all Canadians will bear the cost, which will be to our long term detriment! In otherwords, a (unelected) selfserving, economical shambles. Thats quite a lot, opposed to " he's not likely to do anything very much"
Dec 3rd 2008, 1:57 am
#63
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
I have already stated my views on this and surprisingly enough they mirror quite closely dbd33.
What people need to keep in mind with Dion is he has already stated he will resign as Liberal leader and is only staying on until a new Liberal leader is elected next April.
What people need to keep in mind with Dion is he has already stated he will resign as Liberal leader and is only staying on until a new Liberal leader is elected next April.
Dec 3rd 2008, 1:59 am
#64
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Oakville, ON
Posts: 6,892
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
Perhaps not, however Dion would be held to ransome so to speak at every turn by his two co-conspiritors, who one way or another will try to spend their way into the hearts of their respective supporters...and all Canadians will bear the cost, which will be to our long term detriment! In otherwords, a (unelected) selfserving, economical shambles. Thats quite a lot, opposed to " he's not likely to do anything very much"
That is effectively exactly how the Bloc behaved towards Harper's Conservatives in the last administration. If the Bloc had voted against any significant measure they held just enough seats to have forced a confidence vote which Harper would have lost. So his previous government was held up by the Bloc in precisely the same way that the proposed Lib/NDP coalition will be. It's complete hypocrisy of Conservative politicians and supporters to make any sort of issue out of this.
Dec 3rd 2008, 1:59 am
#65
Jedi
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 549
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
[QUOTE]Unelected? Remember 14th October? I remember it all too well. Voters voted for the MP from their riding. Governments and prime ministers follow on from that.
QUOTE]
Individually they are elected, but as a goverment they are clearly unelected.
If you are using that logic..then every minority government will be subsequently toppled by the "losers" joining forces to increase their proportion of seats after making up a reason for a no-confidence vote.
I hope it goes to a new election.
QUOTE]
Individually they are elected, but as a goverment they are clearly unelected.
If you are using that logic..then every minority government will be subsequently toppled by the "losers" joining forces to increase their proportion of seats after making up a reason for a no-confidence vote.
I hope it goes to a new election.
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:00 am
#66
Born again atheist
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
This seems as good a time as any to put the lie to Harper's national unity scare tactics. Most people know about this of course, but it would be silly to forget it.
September 9, 2004
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor-General
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1
Excellency,
As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program.
We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority.
Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader of the New Democratic Party
So much for Harper's integrity.
September 9, 2004
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor-General
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1
Excellency,
As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program.
We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority.
Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader of the New Democratic Party
So much for Harper's integrity.
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:04 am
#67
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Oakville, ON
Posts: 6,892
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
[QUOTE=andrewrb143;7033159]
Yes. Exactly. That is why minority governments have to be conciliatory in the measures they bring before Parliament, and recognise that if they introduce unpopular bills they will likely be voted down. Harper and Flaherty misjudged the mood of the House to such an extent over the economic statement made by Flaherty that it precipitated a uniting of opposition parties to force a no-confidence vote (that Harper is running away from as fast as he can, first by delaying debate and now potentially by asking for a prorogation of Parliament altogether). If he hadn't been so out of touch with anybody outside of his Albertan clique, Harper wouldn't have put himself in this position. He has nobody to blame but himself.
Unelected? Remember 14th October? I remember it all too well. Voters voted for the MP from their riding. Governments and prime ministers follow on from that.
QUOTE]
Individually they are elected, but as a goverment they are clearly unelected.
If you are using that logic..then every minority government will be subsequently toppled by the "losers" joining forces to increase their proportion of seats after making up a reason for a no-confidence vote.
I hope it goes to a new election.
QUOTE]
Individually they are elected, but as a goverment they are clearly unelected.
If you are using that logic..then every minority government will be subsequently toppled by the "losers" joining forces to increase their proportion of seats after making up a reason for a no-confidence vote.
I hope it goes to a new election.
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:04 am
#68
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
Individually they are elected, but as a goverment they are clearly unelected.
If you are using that logic..then every minority government will be subsequently toppled by the "losers" joining forces to increase their proportion of seats after making up a reason for a no-confidence vote.
I hope it goes to a new election.
But to say that every minority government faces the "possibility" of being toppled is a fact and a legitimate part of our parliamentary system.
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:07 am
#69
Born again atheist
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:09 am
#70
Jedi
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 549
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
I think if this happens though it will set a precedent..of dubious no-confidence motions on issues most politicians don't understand.
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:12 am
#71
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
The vast majority of Albertans are very upset with the opposition parties understandably so most of them voted Conservative. But a large number of them are furious at Harper for bringing it on himself and the party.
I think Harper was totally out of touch with reality and this was the action of "his" giant ego, I'm not sure that anyone else was involved.
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:14 am
#72
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
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Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:16 am
#73
Born again atheist
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Dec 3rd 2008, 2:20 am
#74
Born again atheist
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Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
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Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
Are you aware that in (West) Germany between 1949 and reunification in 1990, the only changes in government took place as a result of realignments among coalition partners. Precedent?
Dec 3rd 2008, 2:29 am
#75
Jedi
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 549
Re: Goodbye Stephen H., or more arrogance?
