Saturday, November 18, 2006

Time To "Bring It On"

It's easy to be flippant, when your Party is riding high in the polls, and the opposition has internal problems that preclude forceful rebuttal. Such was the case this summer, when the NDP and Bloc called for Ambrose's resignation in committee. This is how the government responded:
But the Conservatives are raising the stakes and threatening a fall election should the motion pass.

Conservative Whip Jay Hill confirmed to The Globe and Mail last night that he told NDP House Leader Libby Davies late yesterday that a motion that passes through committee would be considered a confidence matter if the committee report is put to a vote this fall.


Then, we had, Rona Ambrose rise in the House of Commons and dare the opposition:
Thursday, June 22, 2006

OTTAWA — Environment Minister Rona Ambrose is daring opposition parties to bring down the minority Conservative government and fight an election campaign on the issue of climate change.

“I say, ‘Bring it on,’” Ambrose said
Thursday in the House of Commons, responding to a question from the Bloc Quebecois. “Our government, in four months, is miles better than the 13-year Liberal record and the non-record of the Bloc.”

The Conservatives are on record- any motion brought before the House of Commons concerning Ambrose's resignation is a matter of confidence. The earlier cockiness has given the opposition the golden opportunity to bring down this government, at their choosing, on an issue that the Conservatives have lost all credibility.

In a couple weeks the Liberals choose their leader, and the season of apprehension ends. After the Christmas break, I think the NDP and Bloc should re-submit their motion on Ambrose's resignation. I suspect, if Liberals are thinking clearly, there should be full support for this motion and a vote should be forced in the House of Commons. I see two choices, wait until the budget and allow Harper to force his own demise on relatively favorable terms, or bring the government down prior to the budget, on an issue that exposes their central weakness. Time to "bring it on" I say.

UPDATE

Accidental Deliberations, from the NDP perspective.

6 comments:

ottlib said...

Don't expect Jack Layton and the NDP to do any favours for the Liberals.

Regardless of who becomes Liberal leader the NDP has hit its high water mark and they know it. They have nowhere else to go but down now so they will continue to "oppose" the government while saving most of their criticism and oppostion for the Liberals.

Steve V said...

The NDP props up the government on the environment, I think Layton too shrewd to be that dumb, especially with the Greens nibbling away. I might add, the Liberal record on the environment isn't exactly stellar, so this issue gives Layton plenty of ammo. If not on this file, then what? Why let Harper dictate, when he has provided the opportunity, on his soft underbelly?

Anonymous said...

Rona Ambrose is a failure as an Environment Minister and Harper is a failure as a Prime Minister. Thus the question arises: What more does Layton need? Indeed, if he fails to act then electors may consider "greening" their vote.

wilson said...

''What more does Layton need?''

To get back those votes the Liberals 'borrowed'.
PMSH just handed Jack the Clean Air Act to perfect and put the big Orange stamp on. That should help push back the Greens and recapture a few votes from the Libs.

Cons want votes to go to the NDP. PMSH will try to make Jack look good, IMO
One of the biggies for the NDP is Prop Rep (NOT a United Left). They need to be seen as 'getting things done' if they want Canadians to move towards PR.
They couldn't get anything but broken promises from the Libs.

Karen said...

The NDP props up the government on the environment, I think Layton too shrewd to be that dumb

I don't think it's a matter of dumb Steve. Layton extended his hand (rope), to the government. He HAS to come out smelling like a rose, being the hero, etc. That, I believe is who Jack is and how he works.

That said, in order for that to happen, he'd have to gut the Act, rewrite it, so he could take credit for it.

Harper on the other hand, is not well known for compromise, so will his ego allow Layton to gut the Act? Somehow I don't think so, though he would prefer to have votes go to the NDP. He would not survive the criticism from the opposition and from within.

So, once again, it's in Harper's hands.

I'm with you on the terms of an election. Certainly Harper would prefer it be on the budget.

It's embarassing to be Canadian right now.

Steve V said...

knb

That's a good point. I guess we will see how this whole Clean Air Act plays out.