September 2003 Ses Poll

[westcoast99]

Nationally:

Liberal: 46%

PC: 19%

NDP: 15%

CA: 13%

BQ: 6%

West:

Liberal: 35%

CA: 25%

NDP: 20%

PC: 18%

Ontario:

Liberal: 51%

PC: 21%

NDP: 15%

CA: 10%

Québec:

Liberal: 51%

BQ: 25%

PC: 9%

NDP: 5%

CA: 4%

Atlantic:

Liberal: 46%

PC: 39%

NDP: 20%

CA: 4%

Among Men:

Liberal: 47%

PC: 19%

CA: 14%

NDP: 13%

BQ: 7%

Among Women:

Liberal: 45%

PC: 19%

NDP: 16%

CA: 13%

BQ: 6%

Just stressing the need for a merger.

Source: SES September 2003 Poll

[Neal.F.]

It can't be stressed enough.

[Pellaken]

WE NEED A MERGER

how's that??

[westcoast99]

And I suspect that we'll get it.

Check this out: Alliance, Tories 'closer than ever'

Alliance, Tories 'closer than ever' to merger

CTV.ca News Staff

CTV News has learned the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives appear to be closer than ever to merging after weeks of off-again, on-again negotiations between party emissaries.

CTV's Rosemary Thompson reports negotiations are underway, with the possibility an announcement could be made some time this week.

"Sources from both sides are saying that they are closer to a deal than they've ever been before -- the most optimistic are saying that a deal could be reached as early as tomorrow afternoon, those that are more pessimistic are talking about the end of the week," Thompson said.

She reports the seriousness of the negotiations is reflected in the fact that lawyers have been brought in to look at an agreement. Still, Thompson said negotiations could hit a snag.

"The toughest step is that the deal has to be accepted by the caucuses of both parties. The Tory caucus is very badly divided and Tory Leader Peter MacKay has vowed that he won't go ahead unless he has their support," Thompson said.

The courtship between the two has been rocky. A leaked memo released over the weekend indicated that Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper felt the Tories were unwilling to compromise enough to allow a merger to happen.

MacKay told Nova Scotia's CKEC radio that he was disheartened by Harper's memo, which was leaked to The Globe and Mail. He said the tone was accusatory and he denied his party was throwing up roadblocks.

"It's not in the spirit of co-operation. I find that disheartening. I find that unproductive. It's a setback yet again," MacKay said.

Representatives from both parties have been trying to forge a deal to unite the right-wing parties since July in an effort to take on the Liberals.

Last week, MacKay said that his talks with Harper didn't solve the issue of how to merge the two parties. He said the parties remained divided in an interview with CTV's Mike Duffy.

"We are close in some regards and there is still a very basic, philosophic gap as to how we would bring this together," MacKay said.

The Tories favour choosing a leader using a system that would give absolute equality to every riding association in the country. The Alliance wants the leader chosen in a direct vote by every registered party member.

"We are suggesting it has to be equal weighted. There has to be a recognition that every riding in the country, like our electoral system, has to be represented, whether it is a leadership contest or setting up of a constitution of the new party," MacKay said.

He said the Alliance representatives are "quite married" to their one-member, one-vote process. He said that gives more power to the bigger provinces.

"It has to be fair and equitable or we go it alone... we are going into the Thanksgiving weekend and it is time that the current turkey was cooked."

At the time, Harper told reporters that "we agreed that we would continue that conversation in a day or two."

Neither leader would speak to reporters on Tuesday night.

[Neal.F.]

Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight,

it concentrates his mind wonderfully." - Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

[Kai Hawatari]

Why would we need a merger? We have a definitive majority vote. We're not in deadlock here. Or would the merger bring about a new majority?

I'm new to this merger situation. Who is it that is merging?

[Mr. Chater]

The right side of political spectrum.

(Right Winged)

Which are: The PC's and the CA's. They want to merge the right to be able to beat the Liberals who are currently under power. We have had Liberals for too long, and Canada thinks it is time we get a very strong right and kick out the liberals to have once again, reigning rights.