Tories Survive No-Confidence Motion

[Dave_ON]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/10/01/...ent-ndp305.html

So no real surprise, the CPC survived the confidence motion. NDP decided to abstain from voting on the motion. I can't seem to recall which party leader it was that would abstain from confidence motions all the time... I'm sure it'll come back to me soon. Anyway if the NDP want to support the CPC in their EI reforms fine do so. Vote no on the confidence motion. Abstaining is the same thing given the parliamentary make up. It seems to me that, as usual the NDP are tyring to stand on priciple without having to deal with the consequences. They're not opposing the government directly and they're also trying to appear as though they're not supporting the government either, even though by default they did as both the BLOC and the LPC voted in favour of the confidence motion.

Despite wanting to see the EI package go through, the NDP members "have not supported the direction that the Conservatives have taken" on issues that include the war in Afghanistan and climate change, Layton said.

So what excuse will the NDP use to the support the CPC come next confidence motion? The list is growing short indeed.

[Topaz]

The media is making such a big deal out of this and we all knew the Tories wouldn't be taken down. When the time does come though, I'm not sure who will do it, the NDP or Harper himself to call the election. Harper could be stringing the NDP along with the EI and as it gets closer to being into law, Harper will have the time he needs and calls an election. He did it to the Libs in the summer over EI changes, which he never really was going to come to an agreement, but it kept the election at bay.

[Hydraboss]

If Jack actually had any principles or balls, he would have stood up in the House and voted for the motion. Instead, he chose to have his nails done and disappear. All he had to do was make a statement that he does not support the government, but he does support the legislation. That, at least, would have given him a modicum of respect with voters.

Instead he chose to practice Liberal politics. Too bad. Missed opportunity for the non-party.

[Wild Bill]

If Jack actually had any principles or balls, he would have stood up in the House and voted for the motion. Instead, he chose to have his nails done and disappear. All he had to do was make a statement that he does not support the government, but he does support the legislation. That, at least, would have given him a modicum of respect with voters.

Instead he chose to practice Liberal politics. Too bad. Missed opportunity for the non-party.

Yes, it is a missed opportunity and I'm not sure why he's taken this approach. Right now Ignatieff's Liberals are sinking. I suspect that much of that lost support would find a better fit voting NDP than Tory. So why not let the writ be dropped? It's the Liberals who seem most likely to lose!

At first there may be some benefit in looking like the hero who saved Canada from an unwanted election but that point will tire fast. It will buy Jack some time to raise money and have candidate nominations (do we bother with nominations anymore or are all candidates just appointed by their party HQ?) but also it gives Ignatieff more time to try to get his Quebec machinery repaired. It's Quebec where Jack is always hoping to make gains, after all!

Why give the Liberals the chance to repair their fortunes? It always seems they pull votes away from the NDP. Isn't NOW the time for Jack to go for it?

[Dave_ON]

If Jack actually had any principles or balls, he would have stood up in the House and voted for the motion. Instead, he chose to have his nails done and disappear. All he had to do was make a statement that he does not support the government, but he does support the legislation. That, at least, would have given him a modicum of respect with voters.

Instead he chose to practice Liberal politics. Too bad. Missed opportunity for the non-party.

Agreed, abstaining is indeed the coward’s way out, look how well that tactic worked for Dion. This was a golden opportunity for Layton to show the voters that he can make a decision and stick to it. He said he'd prop the CPC up until he got "his" EI changes so why not do so? You can't both support and not support the government at the same time, there's no real neutral ground in a parliamentary system.

[madmax]

If Jack actually had any principles or balls, he would have stood up in the House and voted for the motion. Instead, he chose to have his nails done and disappear. All he had to do was make a statement that he does not support the government, but he does support the legislation. That, at least, would have given him a modicum of respect with voters.

The NDP is supporting EI Legislation. The NDP didn't support the LPC non confidence motion. Doing so would undermine the legislation they want to see passed. By not voting with the LPC it means that there will be no forced election. By not voting with the CPC it shows, that the NDP support for their actions is tepid.

Do you believe that this support will go on for 4 years and 79 confidence votes without question?

Looking at the latest polling data, the NDP remain in their traditional levels, the LPC should be happy their isn't an election and the voters are also pleased that we are not going to the polls.

If the CPC have balls and want to force an election.... Go ahead make my day (I hate unnecessary elections.)

This time there will be a voter backlash on who gets the blame for making the government fall.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Agreed, abstaining is indeed the coward’s way out, look how well that tactic worked for Dion. This was a golden opportunity for Layton to show the voters that he can make a decision and stick to it. He said he'd prop the CPC up until he got "his" EI changes so why not do so? You can't both support and not support the government at the same time, there's no real neutral ground in a parliamentary system.

Jacks move was the only one left to him after all the hype about the possibility of an election. The public isn't keen on the idea and Iggy has issues there as well. I am willing to bet that Harper will be the one to call the ball and force an election over some choosen issue. Lets face it, Harper isn't going to go where the NDP wants him to go, so Jack will be screwed over and not get the legislation he wants anyway. This stuff will take longer to cycle through than it will be before the next opportunity for a non-confidence vote.

[Who's Doing What?]

This is going to be a balancing act for the LIberals.

Good idea to get away from the NDP bashing point of being the ones to prop up the Harper Govt., but the real trick lies in not actually causing an early election, which would give fodder to the CPC media machine.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

This is going to be a balancing act for the LIberals.

Good idea to get away from the NDP bashing point of being the ones to prop up the Harper Govt., but the real trick lies in not actually causing an early election, which would give fodder to the CPC media machine.

I agree completely. The trick here is to make Harper look bad. Iggy already jumped on his personality and style of government, the next step is beating him up on his competence. There is a lot of work to get done before an election is called. Think of how much money the Conservatives just blew in useless ads for nothing. Think of the government money he wasted in the same effort. Iggy is setting the table and inviting Harper to sit down for lunch.

[Hydraboss]

The NDP is supporting EI Legislation. The NDP didn't support the LPC non confidence motion. Doing so would undermine the legislation they want to see passed. By not voting with the LPC it means that there will be no forced election. By not voting with the CPC it shows, that the NDP support for their actions is tepid.

Do you believe that this support will go on for 4 years and 79 confidence votes without question?

Looking at the latest polling data, the NDP remain in their traditional levels, the LPC should be happy their isn't an election and the voters are also pleased that we are not going to the polls.

If the CPC have balls and want to force an election.... Go ahead make my day (I hate unnecessary elections.)

This time there will be a voter backlash on who gets the blame for making the government fall.

Face it. Jack wimped out by not standing up like a vertebrate. He would have got a lot more mileage out of "taking a stand for Working Families^TM", since he could simply have said "I said I would do it, and I'm doing it." Everyone knows that to let the Cons fall would be suicide for Jack and Michael.

The NDP won't support the Cons for long (just until the polls show them at 16-17% consistently). As for an election, I'm all for it. What's 300mil compared to a gun registry or the HRDC Jane boondoggle? Besides, members of MLW need an election.

There will be the square root of f*ck all for voter backlash regarding an election. Most Canadians can't remember past the last NHL game.

[Shady]

Once again I'll remind everybody that the Liberals supported Harper for a much longer period of time than the NDP. You all seem to have selective amnesia, as well as selective outrage.

[Keepitsimple]

Why give the Liberals the chance to repair their fortunes? It always seems they pull votes away from the NDP. Isn't NOW the time for Jack to go for it?

Depends on whether one thinks the Liberals can repair their fortunes. The pundits - including James Travers and Chantal Hebert in The Star - are treating Ignatieff like damaged goods. While Ignatieff may be good at taking weeks to prepare a speech, politics is not like writing a book. Just when Ignatieff needs the public to tune in, Canadians are tuning him out. It shows up in the "Trust" category of polls......because he's been flipping and flopping and trying to pull the plug, his voice is falling on deaf ears. If Jack stops supporting the government in a later confidence motion, he'll at least be able to say he tried....meanwhile the Liberals may very well continue to slide downhill and the NDP stand to reap some votes from the Liberal Left while the Conservatives gnaw away at the Right.

[jdobbin]

This time there will be a voter backlash on who gets the blame for making the government fall.

So The NDP will let the Tories finish their term or risk taking the blame?

[Jerry J. Fortin]

So The NDP will let the Tories finish their term or risk taking the blame?

Iggy has a time frame problem here. He needs to make Harper look bad before the writ is dropped. Right now the Conservatives appear to have the upper hand in all of this.

[jdobbin]

Once again I'll remind everybody that the Liberals supported Harper for a much longer period of time than the NDP.

And why did it gain the Liberals for not calling an election? They must have been naive to think the Tories actually would serve a full term based on their legislation and promises not to call an election.

The NDP might learn this lesson all too well.

[Who's Doing What?]

And why did it gain the Liberals for not calling an election? They must have been naive to think the Tories actually would serve a full term based on their legislation and promises not to call an election.

The NDP might learn this lesson all too well.

The liberals need to be seen as not propping up the Govt. while not being held responsible for an election. One heck of a tightrope to walk but, as the NDP will soon find out, propping up the CPC is not popular.

THe Liberals need to keep reminding the public of fixed election dates and how the CPC should be comprimising with the other parties for support, instead of playing bully and having a "my way or the highway" attitude. Make sure the message gts out that it is the CPC who are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of this govt.

Paint the NDP and Bloc as the puppets who prop up the Harper regime. They need to attack on all fronts. With the right PR campaign they could effectivly direct the course of this govt for it's remaining term.

[ToadBrother]

The liberals need to be seen as not propping up the Govt. while not being held responsible for an election. One heck of a tightrope to walk but, as the NDP will soon find out, propping up the CPC is not popular.

Neither is being decimated in an election because you're broke. The NDP membership needs to face reality. Clearly Layton has.

THe Liberals need to keep reminding the public of fixed election dates and how the CPC should be comprimising with the other parties for support, instead of playing bully and having a "my way or the highway" attitude. Make sure the message gts out that it is the CPC who are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of this govt.

The Liberals need to fix their wounds, which clearly has not happened.

Paint the NDP and Bloc as the puppets who prop up the Harper regime. They need to attack on all fronts. With the right PR campaign they could effectivly direct the course of this govt for it's remaining term.

Iggy had the momentum in the spring. He blinked when Parliament went into recess. If he wanted to take us into an election, that was the moment to do it. Instead he lost control of the EI issue, delivered into the Tories hands, and basically allowed them to set the terms of any future debate.

[Mr.Canada]

Everything is working out as planned now.

The Liberals are busy fighting with the NDP who will split the left vote which will allow the PM and his Tories to capture the entire centre and centre right vote all the way to a majority.

Keep on fighting NDP and Liberals, Harper is laughing his butt off. He's sitting back and enjoying the show. The more Ignatieff talks the lower his ratings go. Layton is not important as the NDP will not be forming government anytime soon.