Lucky Jack had some tough words for Liberal leader Mike Ignatieff today, demanding that Iggy turn against the budget that he already agreed to support. Jack thinks this is a great time to extort a pound of flesh from the government, who are not going to want an election prior to the G8 and G20 summits. According to Jack it is time to pounce, and if we find ourselves in the middle of an election campaign when we host these international delegations, then so be it. Whether you call it opportunism or extortion, threatening an election at a time when it would look bad for the entire country to have one is not a mature method of conducting government business.
Jack Layton was also talking about a united opposition, so I'm sure he has already conducted his private negotiations with Duceppe. Personally I hope that Iggy accepts Jack's demands, because I'm sure if they collapse the government before the G8 and G20 while trying to extort a few NDP policies into budget legislation will help deliver a Tory Majority. It was a good thing that parliament wasn't sitting before the Olympics, because God knows what Layton and friends would have tried to extort prior to that international event.
Exactly! They are bluffing anyway. Jack has nothing to lose while Iggy has everything to lose. I could see us getting the biggest majority in history if we went to the polls because of opposition mischief.
ReplyDeleteImagine those idiots in Government? gong show.
Layton's just playing for airtime.
ReplyDeleteHe knows Ziffy is on the ropes.
Forcing an election now is suicide.
I don't think Layton is bluffing. He either knows Iggy won't take bait, or he believes the Liberals will be punished if they do. Layton sees the polling numbers. There's blood in the water.
ReplyDeleteSure, he's pressing his advantage.
ReplyDeleteBut all it's gonna get him this time is a headline or two.
Ziffy can't be that stupid.
Can he?
Layton may be be trying to goad Iffy into an election to mess up the G photo-ops. He has enough $$ and numbers to go for an election with the HST making people mad. I agree with you - this is a serious challenge. He wants to be the official opposition leader.
ReplyDeleteLast time I looked, Layton and the NDP, can't even poll above 20%. He may be able to force an election and lead Ignatieff by the nose, but it won't change the number of seats that the NDP represent. In fact, in Alberta, they are going to lose their one loney seat. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteIffy will not take the bait. He has already said he will support the budget and now backing away would be a major flip flop that Canadians would notice big time. All of these measures where in the budget why did the Libs and the NDP not fight it at the time? Iffy does not want an election but if they think they are going to cow Harper they still don't know him very well. Harper would merely send another representative to the G8/G20 and he would campaign. However, I guess our reputation as a serious country doesn't worry Layton. Why should it? He will never govern on his own or in a coalition government.
ReplyDeleteIts always a serious challenge. Ziggy isn't truly dumb but he hasn't got a head for this stuff. He's always saying or doing something dumb and forcing an election now would be in that category.
ReplyDeleteWhen say Jack is bluffing I mean that he hasn't got a hope of being PM at all, but he'll make all the brave noises because he will probably eat up some liberal seats no matter what happens. Irresponsible Jack urging his partners to be irresponsible for petty gains.