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This is interesting speculation, but to the diehard NDPers, Liberality means sellout. And they seem to suffer from the illusion that more money sunk into existing systems solves everything. When Layton proposed backing GM, in trouble because of dinosaur thinking, they lost their progressive edge. If such funding ideas had any suggestion of retooling for green cars, future technologies, it could have had merit, but making SUVs for continuing jobs jobs jobs has none. We need creative thinking, whole new approaches, flexibility.. and a willingness to embrace good ideas from all quarters. I think it's too much to expect, even theoretically, that a multi-party union could occur any time soon.
I voted for Green/Lib union for the reality of their respect and collaboration so far. And agree, as a positive first step, that real solid electoral reform would regenerate the process and bring the nonvoting discontents (as opposed to the lazy apathetics) back into reclaiming their rights and influencing results. If a reasonable number of eligible voters had been inspired enough to take the time and made the effort, the results would have been entirely different, and I think the trajectory the Libs and Greens are on is worth considering.
It worked for the Alliance & PC parties so it can definitely work for two or three left parties!
The NDP should dissolve as they do not represent labour as they once did, and what is their platform other than boiler plate rhetoric about kitchen tables. At the very least they should jettison Layton as their leader, who puts himself and his ego before the common good. His (now thrice thwarted) dream of becoming Prime Minister sank the most efficient government for the progressive cause, the Minority government of Martin's Liberals, and put us in the situation we now find ourselves in. The blame lies at his feet and he has yet to pay for it politically. Once again in the last election he put his ambition ahead of the good of the people of Canada.
The Greens and Liberals should unite and build a common platform that unites the "progressive centre" of Canada. To continue to use the term right and left, definitions of another and divisive era, betrays the true progressive dream that Canada embodies for the world. If we can create a green, centrist, pluralist, fiscally conservative, and socially progressive platform built on the Liberals proven ability to govern, incorporating the politically progressive ideas of the Greens then we will have a party that truly represents Canada. The Conservatives abandoned the progressive aspect of their party, let us pick it up, dust it off and let it shine as the Progressive Liberal Party of Canada.
There will always be dissenters and opposition, what we need to do now is to create and nurture our common ground to support the common wealth of Canada.
While we are at it, we can change the colours our flag to represent Canada's vision of an alternative future for the world. Clear blue oceans bordering both sides of healthy thriving green leafed nation.
John, I understand. I didn't include the Bloc because they would have to give up on separation to make any merger work. Separatism is pretty much dead. There are very few in Quebec who still support it and now that France has officially said that Quebec should remain in Canada they have no international support for separation. Still, it would be a hard pill for the Bloc to swallow and who knows how long they will try to hold on.
I just wanted to mention that the Bloc represents the left in Canada as well and the opportunity may exist for some co-operation on that front. I voted for all the parties to come together in this poll, but one other option is to consider how to address federalism in a way that Quebecers can relate to - ie concentrating more on the actual division of powers between provinces and federal government and begin to articulate the left in these terms. Harper already has figured this out, and in a sense the left must do the same. Maybe the Bloc and its supporters will want to participate in a progressive alliance at some point in the future given that the Quebec population seems to be more interested in federalism again (thanks to the Bloc being so prominent in Ottawa).
For this moment in politics it seems pertinent to unite the left, but in the long run, that would only leave a lot of people disenfranchised. It would bring four parties that have very wide schisms between them for a short-sighted goal.
I think it will take a long time to wear down the right, but we will do it. Let's not forget that no matter how they sugar-coat it, they did NOT win this election; they were going for a majority and they failed. Do the Liberals and the NDP need to grow up a bit in their thinking and find a way to work together? yes. Fundementally I don't think they can forge a lasting bond.
Rather than unite the left, we should work on splitting the right. Diversity is our main value. Canada needs more parties, but more coalitions like germany has. We also need proportional representation.
Why not work on electoral reform instead of reforming the unelectable
Rather than unite the left, we should work on splitting the right. Diversity is our main value. Canada needs more parties, but more coalitions like germany has. We also need proportional representation.
Why not work on electoral reform instead of reforming the unelectable
The liberals are anything but left... they're barely even center anymore!
I think the Greens need to realize they're splitting the vote and join the NDP, but ultimately, we need proportional voting. Until we have that, no one on the left or what remains of the centre stands a chance. THe hot buttons are abortion and a misunderstanding/representation of the common good that comes taxation as a form of building infrastructure. The idea that the conservatives gives working class people the chance to keep more money in their pockets is an elaborate and highly successful lie. The culture of individualism destroys everyone... even the people at the top, who need to retreat to their "safe" gated communities because the class divide leads more people to more desperate measures.
I think it would be more powerful to have a group that endorses the platforms and comments on the credibility of each party. That way you can't be co-opted by any party (they take you for granted) and each individual party will put out their best ideas instead of have to compromise while coming up with a platform.