Clearly there needs to be a wake-up call of sorts, and it's possible that as poorly as Alberta's provincial Liberals have played their hand, with yet another disconnected leader, the Wild Rose could form an opposition, though in the current economic climate, it seems uncertain that they will do much better representing the interests of big oil when the average guy on the street is certainly struggling to keep their head above water.
I wouldn't bet on 10, or any, MLA's crossing the floor however.. I mean, if for no reason but self-interest, why would they join a party without power?
Even unhappy former PC MLA, now Independant Guy Boutillier has declined to join the Wild Rose.
It would be arrogant in the extreme to pretend the current Government has no current difficulties, however, I suspect the PC party will take proper course corrections to do the job needed to bring the Province through the recession.
I mean - when you have the Liberals and NDP's saying we haven't taken enough royalty money, and the Wilde Rose saying we've taken too much.. they must be doing something right.
It's endemic of conservatism in general. They don't know how to actually fix anything so they often just decide to blow it up and start anew. When that breaks, they repeat the cycle.
You know what, Torontonian.. you're pretty much correct. I think that, in reality, politics today is going to be dominated by two relatively centrist parties (Cons and Libs) and then, usually, a fringe waaaaay left party (NDP).. and while the Reform party had some lofty ideals, the reality is that to form a government, they had to move closer to the centre and closer to what has, unfortunately become "politics per usual".
This may bode well for the Conservatives in Alberta.. as Wild Rose may have a problem being proven as a true "reform" party.
Oddly enough, I agree Paul.. a healthy opposition not only helps keep a majority in check, but, in a substantive way, they contribute to create more effective policy and legislation.. the utter void of any real opposition certainly isn't healthy in a broad sense.. and the ONLY thing, truthfully, that allows the PC party to move it's agenda from time to time is the demands of its grassroots and the fundamental desire to maintain the strong majority they have held..
As with Federal politics right now, with Conservatives moving to the centre, the Liberals are finding themselves as a party without an identity to distinguish themselves.. and moving left and identifying with the "intellectual elite" in Alberta isn't going to fly.
In other news, real news that real Canadians really care about: Cauchon gets OK to seek Outremont nomination.
ReplyDeleteAren't you happy about that? It shows that Iggy's authoritarianism isn't absolute.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it shall recede from the news.
ReplyDeleteI second that...especially with all the cranky Liberals and Concerned Conservatives (along with their coalition partners, the Dippers) out and about.
ReplyDeleteI wonder just how many of the former are revisiting their grand pronouncements on the End of the Liberal Party as We Know It of three days ago?
Don't you mean MLAs?
ReplyDeleteOn Alberta news: Would be interesting to watch Tweedledee oppose Tweedledum until... oh! Look! A kettle we can all watch boil!
ReplyDeleteNo, Tase, but I've changed it to make you happy.
ReplyDeleteDidn't something similar happen in Ottawa about a decade ago with a leader named Stockwell Day and a bunch of Reform party types?
ReplyDeleteIs this endemic to western genes?
Clearly there needs to be a wake-up call of sorts, and it's possible that as poorly as Alberta's provincial Liberals have played their hand, with yet another disconnected leader, the Wild Rose could form an opposition, though in the current economic climate, it seems uncertain that they will do much better representing the interests of big oil when the average guy on the street is certainly struggling to keep their head above water.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't bet on 10, or any, MLA's crossing the floor however.. I mean, if for no reason but self-interest, why would they join a party without power?
Even unhappy former PC MLA, now Independant Guy Boutillier has declined to join the Wild Rose.
It would be arrogant in the extreme to pretend the current Government has no current difficulties, however, I suspect the PC party will take proper course corrections to do the job needed to bring the Province through the recession.
I mean - when you have the Liberals and NDP's saying we haven't taken enough royalty money, and the Wilde Rose saying we've taken too much.. they must be doing something right.
Is this endemic to western genes?
ReplyDeleteIt's endemic of conservatism in general. They don't know how to actually fix anything so they often just decide to blow it up and start anew. When that breaks, they repeat the cycle.
Does anyone remember when conservatism meant the preservation, refinement and/or re-invigoration of long-standing institutions and traditions?
ReplyDeleteNow, it seems it means restorationism. The restoration of the feudal system, to be precise.
You know what, Torontonian.. you're pretty much correct. I think that, in reality, politics today is going to be dominated by two relatively centrist parties (Cons and Libs) and then, usually, a fringe waaaaay left party (NDP).. and while the Reform party had some lofty ideals, the reality is that to form a government, they had to move closer to the centre and closer to what has, unfortunately become "politics per usual".
ReplyDeleteThis may bode well for the Conservatives in Alberta.. as Wild Rose may have a problem being proven as a true "reform" party.
And as per usual, the Liberal party remains MIA in Alberta.
ReplyDeleteSo sad.
Oddly enough, I agree Paul.. a healthy opposition not only helps keep a majority in check, but, in a substantive way, they contribute to create more effective policy and legislation.. the utter void of any real opposition certainly isn't healthy in a broad sense.. and the ONLY thing, truthfully, that allows the PC party to move it's agenda from time to time is the demands of its grassroots and the fundamental desire to maintain the strong majority they have held..
ReplyDeleteAs with Federal politics right now, with Conservatives moving to the centre, the Liberals are finding themselves as a party without an identity to distinguish themselves.. and moving left and identifying with the "intellectual elite" in Alberta isn't going to fly.