Tory manual on running a smooth democracy

[jdobbin]

This will only happen when a majority government can set the agenda.

The Tories have taken away the decision of the government to call an election. The Opposition are under no obligation to defeat the government if they have no wish to.

Welcome to one of the flaws of the fixed election date strategy during minority governments.

The Conservative foot dragging just makes them look weak and ineffective.

[Figleaf]

I'm surprised Michael isn't here justifying it all. I guess the CPC is slow on getting the talking points put together on this one seeing as though its such a doozy.

Perhaps he's in shock, not that Tories would actually turn to these parliamentary tactics, but rather someone would compile them in a handbook.

Maybe he was the author...

[Figleaf]

It's ignorant to believe that these handbooks and the like didn't exist in other parties, pure ignorance. It's politics.

Got any evidence?

[Figleaf]

The Conservatives had to learn from the Liberals before acting like them. It's a learning curve. Divide and conquer along the lines of special interest and ethnic groups. Time will tell if it worked.

We'll see if it works if they end up defeated.

'When'

[Michael Bluth]

The Tories have taken away the decision of the government to call an election. The Opposition are under no obligation to defeat the government if they have no wish to.

Welcome to one of the flaws of the fixed election date strategy during minority governments.

The Conservative foot dragging just makes them look weak and ineffective.

In the short term the fixed election date strategy is flawed.

But only in the short term.

It will force parties to run on platforms that will last four years.

The Government will come up with an agenda over the summer for the next two years of this Parliament.

If they don't they deserve to be defeated in the fall and lose the next election. That is why they will do it.

[Cameron]

Ironically, the manual also advises committee chairs to act fairly and build trust with members of all parties, getting to know them personally as well as politically.

It warns chairs not to "use negative body language" or "use humour inappropriately" and tells them not to "interrupt unnecessarily or argue with individual members" - orders clearly ignored by some of the more partisan chairs.

This manual covers the good and the bad. Politics has many sides to it.

[jdobbin]

This manual covers the good and the bad. Politics has many sides to it.

We've only have seen the Tories use the bad parts of the manual this past week.

[Shakeyhands]

In the short term the fixed election date strategy is flawed.

But only in the short term.

It will force parties to run on platforms that will last four years.

The Government will come up with an agenda over the summer for the next two years of this Parliament.

If they don't they deserve to be defeated in the fall and lose the next election. That is why they will do it.

No comment on the handbook? I'm surprised.

[Canuck E Stan]

In the short term the fixed election date strategy is flawed.

But only in the short term.

It will force parties to run on platforms that will last four years.

The Government will come up with an agenda over the summer for the next two years of this Parliament.

If they don't they deserve to be defeated in the fall and lose the next election. That is why they will do it.

No comment on the handbook? I'm surprised.

A few years ago the Liberal's handed the voter's a real doozy of a manual for good government, it was called the "Red Book".

[jdobbin]

A few years ago the Liberal's handed the voter's a real doozy of a manual for good government, it was called the "Red Book".

Why do Tories here always compare themselves to the Liberals? The argument that "we're not as bad" is a very poor one to take to the electorate. It is probably the reason why Harper's party has dropped so many points in recent weeks.

[Canuck E Stan]

Why do Tories here always compare themselves to the Liberals? The argument that "we're not as bad" is a very poor one to take to the electorate. It is probably the reason why Harper's party has dropped so many points in recent weeks.

Are you about to start that "scary,scary,scary"stuff again?

[jdobbin]

Are you about to start that "scary,scary,scary"stuff again?

I don't think anyone needs to talk scary talk. Pointing out that Parliament is stalled because the Tories lack ideas is plain to see.

Weak and ineffectual government is what people voted out. Now, we are seeing a repeat of that. The Tories are wheezing to the finish line and probably are very happy that they have this week off.

[Canuck E Stan]

Pointing out that Parliament is stalled because the Tories lack ideas is plain to see.

Yes, it's the Tories and not the opposition that's holding up all the bills by trying to ammend the crap out of every last one of them in the House and the Senate.

[Argus]

Why don't you get your story straight?

The Liberals started all of this earlier in the week: "Conservatives were still simmering over a Liberal ploy earlier in the week that sped a Liberal backbench environmental bill through a Senate committee in 44 seconds with no Tories present to stop it."

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...555fb00&k=71103

The story is the one provided that starts this link.

Justifying such childish behaviour that is supposed to govern us, shows how badly our government is failing the people of Canada.

It's hard to believe that we pay for such behaviour in the house, committee and Senate.

When are adults going to govern our country, and do it on the behalf of the people whom elected them.

I have absolutely no use for the constant whining and defence used by the CPC that the LPC did it first.

Infact, like many posters on this forum suggest, the CPC under Harper have managed to behave like Liberals in record time.

If that were truly the case one would have to wonder why there is such virulent hate directed towards Harper and the CPC by people who vote Liberal. Hmmmm.

[Argus]

A few years ago the Liberal's handed the voter's a real doozy of a manual for good government, it was called the "Red Book".

Why do Tories here always compare themselves to the Liberals? The argument that "we're not as bad" is a very poor one to take to the electorate. It is probably the reason why Harper's party has dropped so many points in recent weeks.

Actually, it's a pretty good one. Because what it all boils down to is who you're going to vote for. And since the Liberals are by any measure - by every measure imaginable - worse than the Tories, I see no reason whatsoever to even consider voting for them.

[Michael Bluth]

Why do Tories here always compare themselves to the Liberals? The argument that "we're not as bad" is a very poor one to take to the electorate. It is probably the reason why Harper's party has dropped so many points in recent weeks.

Because there are only two viable options who can form Government. The Conservatives and the Liberals.

So many points?

Hmmm, they are at 34%. In the last three months their peak has been 36%. Again with the hyperbole?

[jdobbin]

Actually, it's a pretty good one. Because what it all boils down to is who you're going to vote for. And since the Liberals are by any measure - by every measure imaginable - worse than the Tories, I see no reason whatsoever to even consider voting for them.

Seems like you might be the base they won't lose. As for the rest of Canada, they already seem to be abandoning the Tories according to the last month of polls.

[jdobbin]

Yes, it's the Tories and not the opposition that's holding up all the bills by trying to ammend the crap out of every last one of them in the House and the Senate.

The Opposition are doing their job. They are not there to be nodding cheerleaders of government policy. Harper himself has said what the job of the Opposition is. Why would he expect different now?

[jbg]

Among many other things, that's how we ended up with the opposition parties forcing through bill c30 - the Liberal environment plan to honour Kyoto....and Paul Martin's bill to re-introduce the Kelowna Accords. The Liberals still don't understand that they lost the election.

Link: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.h...e5-0a70cb662e44

And they sure don't want to risk another one right now.

[jdobbin]

And they sure don't want to risk another one right now.

Likewise, the Tories can't risk one since they would either repeat a minority or lose the government altogether.

[newbie]

If that were truly the case one would have to wonder why there is such virulent hate directed towards Harper and the CPC by people who vote Liberal. Hmmmm.

You obviously forget the hatred directed toward Martin by the cons on this forum.

[stignasty]

If that were truly the case one would have to wonder why there is such virulent hate directed towards Harper and the CPC by people who vote Liberal. Hmmmm.

You obviously forget the hatred directed toward Martin by the cons on this forum.

Those criticizing the Prime Minister also usually have the decency to call him by his name. The critics of Mr. Martin were frequently less than that kind when they referred to him as "Mr. Dithers."

[Who's Doing What?]

If that were truly the case one would have to wonder why there is such virulent hate directed towards Harper and the CPC by people who vote Liberal. Hmmmm.

You obviously forget the hatred directed toward Martin by the cons on this forum.

Come on now, you know that whatever the CPC does is fair play, even if it is evil and disgusting when the Liberals do the same.

[jbg]

Those criticizing the Prime Minister also usually have the decency to call him by his name. The critics of Mr. Martin were frequently less than that kind when they referred to him as "Mr. Dithers."

"Stevie" isn't his name either.

[Figleaf]

Those criticizing the Prime Minister also usually have the decency to call him by his name. The critics of Mr. Martin were frequently less than that kind when they referred to him as "Mr. Dithers."

"Stevie" isn't his name either.

'Stevie' is far too familiar to be counted as truly respectful.

But 'Steve' on the other hand is an admiring reference to the close relationship he has built with President George Wilkes Bush.