Analysis of the Coalition to Destroy Canadian Democracy

Two of my favourite bloggers have nailed it.

First, from Jay Currie:

"The NDP will get seats in Cabinet meaning, day to day, that their Cabinet members will have to answer questions in the House. The Bloc will not be in Cabinet and will not be subject to the scrutiny of the House. Whatever deals they do, whatever policy vetos they cast, will be in private."

And then there's Ezra:

"Without the Bloc, the Liberals and NDP have even less of a claim after the recent election than they did before. The Conservative vote, measured as a percentage, has grown five elections in a row. The Liberal vote, measured as a percentage, has declined four elections in a row. Trivia: in terms of absolute vote count, Stephen Harper received more votes in 2008 (5.21 million) than Paul Martin did in 2004 (4.98 million) or Jean Chretien received in his 1997 election (4.99 million) which earned him a majority. Harper’s 2008 count roughly tied Chretien’s 2000 majority result, too (5.25 million)."

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"In other words, the Bloc’s formal, explicit participation is essential for the Liberal-NDP coalition to work."

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"Harper’s short-lived plan to remove the public subsidy from political parties, which would have put the opposition at a disadvantage. Opposition claims that it was a disagreement over economic substance are incredible. Not only has the opposition approved every Tory budget to date, but just a week ago they voted to accept the Throne Speech which was, at least in general terms, exactly what the Conservatives proposed in their fiscal update."

Ezra's is a must read. Stinging points one right after the other leaving poor old DeYawn in pieces on the floor, and probably the Liberal Party, too.