Monday, February 05, 2007
Grits to NDP: Stop Playing Nice
Deputy Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff doesn't like the way that the NDP and Tories are getting along right now.
I don't think that Michael Ignatieff understands a minority government yet. What Layton is doing, is working with governmenet to further his parties agenda. It's why we elect the people we do. It's their job. The fact that he's working with the government only gives him more influence in parliament, which I would imagine most Dippers would like.
In fact, I'm not sure the Liberal party as a whole understands minority parliaments yet. Jack Layton and the NDP propped up the previous Liberal government for months as well, and again managed to punch above his weight in parliament because of it.
The Liberals during their 429 days as a minority government accomplished next to nothing. The Sponsorship Scandal was a major priority for the party at the time, and the only meaningful legislation passed by the Liberals was the Gay Marriage legislation. Their only budget also had given many concessions to the NDP, who supported the budget, and saving the government in the process.
In comparison, Stephen Harper has already had 378 days in government. During this period he has already passed the Accountability Act, recognized the Quebecois as a distinct nation, has dropped the GST by one percent, and has made gains in priority surgeries. Also expected to pass is Harpers Clean Air Act, and the 2007 budget. Both of these pieces of legislation will have Jack Layton's greasy finger prints all over it.
So rather than ragging on Jack Layton and the NDP for getting things done, I'd say Ignatieff and his Liberals should instead try to get in the game.
"There's something nauseating going on which Canadians have to notice," Ignatieff told the Star. "Layton gets up and pretends to oppose a government that he's propping up. He's got to decide what the hell he's doing here."
I don't think that Michael Ignatieff understands a minority government yet. What Layton is doing, is working with governmenet to further his parties agenda. It's why we elect the people we do. It's their job. The fact that he's working with the government only gives him more influence in parliament, which I would imagine most Dippers would like.
In fact, I'm not sure the Liberal party as a whole understands minority parliaments yet. Jack Layton and the NDP propped up the previous Liberal government for months as well, and again managed to punch above his weight in parliament because of it.
The Liberals during their 429 days as a minority government accomplished next to nothing. The Sponsorship Scandal was a major priority for the party at the time, and the only meaningful legislation passed by the Liberals was the Gay Marriage legislation. Their only budget also had given many concessions to the NDP, who supported the budget, and saving the government in the process.
In comparison, Stephen Harper has already had 378 days in government. During this period he has already passed the Accountability Act, recognized the Quebecois as a distinct nation, has dropped the GST by one percent, and has made gains in priority surgeries. Also expected to pass is Harpers Clean Air Act, and the 2007 budget. Both of these pieces of legislation will have Jack Layton's greasy finger prints all over it.
So rather than ragging on Jack Layton and the NDP for getting things done, I'd say Ignatieff and his Liberals should instead try to get in the game.
Labels: Jack Bin Layton, Liberal Party, Michael Ignatieff, NDP, Stephane Dion
