Canadians now in favour of merging NDP & LPC

[Anti-Am]

Well there you have it. The reformers and progressive conservatives merged and now they are the government. Now its the liberals and ndps turn to merge and take back the government. Public support is finally behind this. Time to put egos aside for the benefit of Canada.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/06/11/over-half-of-opposition-supporters-want-party-merger-to-take-on-harper/

Sixty-four per cent of Liberal supporters and 57% of NDP voters said they “strongly” or “somewhat” support their parties merging into a single party.

Edited June 11, 2012 by Anti-Am

[mentalfloss]

Ego?

No thanks.

If NDP garner enough support for a majority, a merger is pointless. Hell, if they reduce the CPC to a minority, a merger is also pointless as the two can vote similarly and defeat the minority government anyway.

One thing we do know for sure is that if a leftist party screws up, people have no where to run but to the right if there is a merger.

Edited June 11, 2012 by mentalfloss

[Topaz]

Even though I would like to see the A/T under Harper gone, I rather have a three-party system unless of course , Canada wants to harmonize with the US. The two party system doesn't put the power into the voters, it just keeps elections going back and forth to the two parties. So the only answer is for VOTERS who DON'T vote to get off their ??? and vote and by not voting last time, you've lost 2 years of your OAS.

[Dave_ON]

If NDP garner enough support for a majority, a merger is pointless. Hell, if they reduce the CPC to a minority, a merger is also pointless as the two can vote similarly and defeat the minority government anyway.

One thing we do know for sure is that if a leftist party screws up, people have no where to run but to the right if there is a merger.

Agreed, the LPC and NDP are politically disparate enough that a merger wouldn't really work. The LPC are more centrist than the NDP, though granted it appears that the NDP are starting to be viewed as more mainstream than they were previously and seem to be the natural successors to the LPC’s former place as alternative to the CPC. However, until they put away some of their more extreme ideas, such as directly interfering in how businesses do business I don’t think I could support them.

I fully expect the CPC war machine to basically ignore the LPC next election, and focus mainly on their current rival the NDP. This will be interesting as this is a very different creature that was the LPC.

[nittanylionstorm07]

So far it seems like the NDP is doing a damn good job of being an alternative to the Cons. While there is still some work to do in places like Ontario, the progress is great so far.

It would be pointless.

[madmax]

Well there you have it. The reformers and progressive conservatives merged and now they are the government. Now its the liberals and ndps turn to merge and take back the government. Public support is finally behind this. Time to put egos aside for the benefit of Canada.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/06/11/over-half-of-opposition-supporters-want-party-merger-to-take-on-harper/

Sixty-four per cent of Liberal supporters and 57% of NDP voters said they “strongly” or “somewhat” support their parties merging into a single party.

You do realize that would equal a net loss in support?

TO which party would the displaced 40% go? Oh, probably either to the Conservatives or towards a new 3rd Party.

There is more in common with the Liberals merging with the Conservatives and if a poll was done, you would see similar results of between a 50/50 split and a 60/40 split.

The poll shows nothing that all parties have known for decades.

History has shown that Conservatives and Liberals have gotten together more often to create a party to displace the NDP. The reverse has never occurred.

The NDP history is very different from the Liberals.

If the Liberals were to fold up their tent 2morrow, you would see the CPC increase to close to 50% or more support and the new 2nd party might get into the mid 40s for a short time.

But what will happen is a new 3rd option will arrive because Canadians are always seeking choice and options.

Tweedle dee and tweedle dum are good, but its always nice to have a 3rd opinion.

[waldo]

Tweedle dee and tweedle dum are good, but its always nice to have a 3rd opinion.

is it... when the 3rd option only helps to continue to split votes keeping a 'united right' Conservative government?

[madmax]

. However, until they put away some of their more extreme ideas, such as directly interfering in how businesses do business I don’t think I could support them.

There is intereference in business and their is good public policy that benefits strong stable business.

Many of those extreme NDP/CCF ideas were adopted and created the stabile and strong society we have today and a strong middle class.

The rightward shift of the past 15 years suggesting business can do no wrong..... is creating some interesting and unstable market conditions along with some extreme and radical ideas from individuals and corporations more interested in pyramid schemes and explotation rather then solid business foundations.

After watching some of the worst abuses in corporate greed not seen since the 20s, one might be concerned that no one should be interefering.

Argus made a good point in another thread. The US Banking Institutions have learned nothing and will carry on in their arrogant ways, and await another bailout.

A situation similar to Greece.

But far more dangerous to our economy and one can thank the NDP budget intervention and Paul Martin having a change of heart in moving towards more deregulatio of our banking industry.

There is stupid intervention and responsible intervention.

Currenty there is little or no responsible intervention but that doesn't prevent out government from giving away monies with no strings attached.

There is always room for improvement and room for dialogue in what regulations are necessary.

Some would suggest that the Red River is just fine today.

Some woudl argue that the markets have corrected themselves and its collapse hsd no criminal element to them.

Of course others of us see that there is more then one Enron and WorldCom out there.

Perhaps the bigget difference is the NDP is starting to push the Conservatives towards addressing corporate crime.

That is interfereing for the good of the public.

Conrad Black and his ilk may disagree.

[Anti-Am]

rofl at people saying liberals would jump ship to the cpc.. liberals hate Harper.. they won't be voting for the conservatives if there is a merger

[dre]

Id like to see the Conservatives, and the NDP, and the Liberals all get together for a meeting in a large building made of wood and other combustible substances, with faulty shorting out wiring.

[TheNewTeddy]

rofl at people saying liberals would jump ship to the cpc.. liberals hate Harper.. they won't be voting for the conservatives if there is a merger

I'm a card carrying Liberal and I would vote for Harper if there is an improper merger.

I doubt I'd ever support a straight merger between the NDP and Liberals.

However, I fully back a merger between the Liberals and the Greens. We already have 95% of our platform in common.

And, if there ever were a merger between the Liberals, NDP, and Greens, I would likely also back it.

I am no socialist however.

[mentalfloss]

is it... when the 3rd option only helps to continue to split votes keeping a 'united right' Conservative government?

If a 'united right' can be consistently relegated to a minority government, I would keep them split. It has the added benefit of ensuring neither left party veers too far off ideologically.

Edited June 11, 2012 by mentalfloss

[Fletch 27]

LOL! Only ONE way that would happen... That building would have been built by a Liberal who was paid off wih some wacky sponsorship bribe, the NDP'er would be living there as that building would be public houseing funded by the taxpayer..., the Conservative would be there to evict the NDP'er for living there under false pretenses and the building would be destroyed due to inneficiancies and wasting taxpayer moneys.. Thats the only way the 3 parties would be in the same building..

Id like to see the Conservatives, and the NDP, and the Liberals all get together for a meeting in a large building made of wood and other combustible substances, with faulty shorting out wiring.

[Anti-Am]

I'm a card carrying Liberal and I would vote for Harper if there is an improper merger.

I doubt I'd ever support a straight merger between the NDP and Liberals.

However, I fully back a merger between the Liberals and the Greens. We already have 95% of our platform in common.

And, if there ever were a merger between the Liberals, NDP, and Greens, I would likely also back it.

I am no socialist however.

if you vote for harpers conservatives after what hes been doing this majority then you really are not a liberal

[Boges]

rofl at people saying liberals would jump ship to the cpc.. liberals hate Harper.. they won't be voting for the conservatives if there is a merger

There were ridings in Ontario where centrists/conservative Liberals lost. Many voters don't identify with a party. Centrists who may vote LPC or CPC probably wouldn't vote for a party that's left of the LPC.

And who would lead this mysterious new party. If sway in the house is any indication it would have to be Thomas Mulclair. Much like the Alliance leader ended up leading the CPC.

How many Liberals would be agreeable to be led by the leader of the NDP?

[Anti-Am]

There were ridings in Ontario where centrists/conservative Liberals lost.

That was before Harpers majority. And now the libersls worst nightmare have come true.

[waldo]

is it... when the 3rd option only helps to continue to split votes keeping a 'united right' Conservative government?

If a 'united right' can be consistently relegated to a minority government, I would keep them split. It has the added benefit of ensuring neither left party veers too far off ideologically.

but many are expressing a view that they aren't willing to, 'roll the dice', and take the chance of yet another Harper Conservative majority. Clearly, a split-vote is the only reason Harper got the slim majority. The NDP is riding high(er) off it's convention/leader selection... as will be the case, to some determined degree, for the Liberals after its convention/leadership race. I would foster that the increase in NDP popularity has as much to do with the Harper Conservatives self-imploding on so many levels. Will that continue... are you personally willing to, 'roll the dice'?

[Fletch 27]

Does Bob Rae jumping a sinking ship back to the NDP party count as a "merger"?

[Boges]

That was before Harpers majority. And now the libersls worst nightmare have come true.

So you're saying Liberals stayed home because they didn't believe the CPC would form a majority?

[Anti-Am]

So you're saying Liberals stayed home because they didn't believe the CPC would form a majority?

I don't know but I do assume Harper repealing all kinds of liberal laws is going to bring out more liberal voters next time.

[Boges]

I don't know but I do assume Harper repealing all kinds of liberal laws is going to bring out more liberal voters next time.

Such as?

Edited June 11, 2012 by Boges

[Anti-Am]

Such as?

Have you not been paying attention this last year?

[Boges]

Have you not been paying attention this last year?

Well are you referring to stuff the CPC campaigned on. For example the fact that they repealed the Long Gun Registry should have been a surprise to no one.

[Anti-Am]

Well are you referring to stuff the CPC campaigned on. For example the fact that they repealed the Long Gun Registry should have been a surprise to no one.

There are many old liberals laws that are getting repealed in the budget.

There's the hate speech repeal as well.

Edited June 11, 2012 by Anti-Am

[Boges]

There are many old liberals laws that are getting repealed in the budget.

There's the hate speech repeal as well.

What hate speech repeal?