Friday, November 28, 2008

Steve stalls for time

Driving home about a half hour ago I heard PMS say that he's not going to have the vote on the Ways and Means motion on Monday after all but instead will let the chips fall with however the non-confidence motion goes on December 8, the earliest it can be voted on.

This is just a stalling tactic, but it's hard to see how six sittings days are going to change the minds of the opposition. And as for his claim that he has the right to govern because he was elected, well no he wasn't. In Canada, like the UK, we elect MPs who are committed to a party platform and not directly for a PM. An overwhelming majority of Canadians voted for a majority of MPs who are progressives, not regressives. If he had a majority of members then it would be a different story -- but his survival now depends on the House.

Unless Steve says that he's actually going to do something to help the agriculture, automobile and forestry industries, he can forget deal. He's going to get voted down. Of course, he can always prorogue and have Parliament sit out for a one year cooling off period. But most Canadians would easily see that for what it is, too.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Her also does not have a mandate, which irks me, because he keeps on saying so.
A mandate is a Majority

penlan said...

Isn't Monday the Libs opposition day? Can't they bring in a non-confidence motion?

Dec. 8th is also election day in Quebec. Nice timing - some people will be distracted that day.

penlan said...

"Of course, he can always prorogue and have Parliament sit out for a one year cooling off period."

Don't think he can do that with the economic crisis in play.

Raging Ranter said...

Um, a mandate and majority are two different things Cari. Try dictionary.com.

penlan said...

I wrote:

"Isn't Monday the Libs opposition day? Can't they bring in a non-confidence motion."

DUH! I later realized that Harper had cancelled opposition day. So ends up being a silly question. I was tired at the time & not thinking clearly. I'm not usually that dumb. ;)