People who understand party politics will get a chuckle out of the Prime Minister’s observation (in French) that Canadians are less interested in electoral reform now that the Conservatives have been defeated. Or is it that his party’s practical ladies and gentleman of the back room have said he ought not to rush into an arrangement where the Commons contains curious splinter parties (not counting the NDP) which might jeopardize a Liberal majority if the next election (or any election) is close. Just imagine the Tories teaming up with the Libertarians, Family Value Farmers, Flat Tax Axe Party and God knows who else to make the life of a Liberal minority government pure hell. Why invite that calamity on nice Liberal MPs anyway?
PARTIES WHICH CAN’T SEEM TO WIN
The voguish cry that there is a Democratic Deficit, whatever that might be, seems to live in the minds of those who don’t believe in the old rule of winner take all. Or, as some might say, the parties that can’t seem to win. Mr. Trudeau had committed during the election campaign to sorting out vote percentages and giving out seats on that basis. Maybe the Dog Leash Party could actually sit in the House. But hey, why not just insert a plank in the Liberal campaign platform that promises Dog Leashes for All. Now, will Liberal MPs who have planned serious seminars about electoral reform this fall and winter decide instead to hold a party? Certainly hope so. See also: MP Oliphant to convene meetings on democracy this fall
