Layton's Epiphany

I just saw an interview with Jack Layton, wherein he articulated some frustration with the Harper government. Layton said the tone of the government had changed the last couple of weeks. Layton said the spirit of co-operation and a desire to reach consensus had been replaced by strong armed tactics and a certain arrogance. Harper's words weren't translating into concrete measures to ensure widespread consultations on policy. Layton basically said that Harper was failing to live up to his commitments to work within the minority framework.

I read Layton's new attitude as more calculation than actual revelation. Despite Layton's frequent statements about co-operation and a "new" attitude in parliament, he is too politically savvy to have held such a naive view. The statements were more a confirmation of the "unholy alliance" with the Conservatives to rid the world of the dastardly Liberals. The fact that Layton is beginning to acknowledge that the Conservatives are not team players should serve as the first signs of blowback.

Layton's return to forceful opposition is a signal that he is starting to feel the heat for his cozy relationship with a right-wing government. Layton's epiphany, that the minority Conservatives are just as singular and arrogant as the minority Liberals is pure politics, in an attempt to distance himself from the "appeaser" tag which is gaining momentum. Listening to Layton, there was no question that his tone had changed and I can only see this as him reacting to negative feedback from within. You don't have to look too hard to see NDP supporters articulating a nervousness with Layton's subservient rhetoric on Harper.

It was only one interview, but Layton's language was striking. Maybe, we might actually have another substantive player on the opposition side. If so, the NDP can maintain its credibility and avoid the transparent politics-first angle that has characterized its early days in this parliament.