Re: Cons 36, Libs 33, NDP 14, Greens 10, BQ 5, PPC 2
(2019-09-22).
Minority gov'ts are not all that bad. It forces parties to work together. Also when leadership is weak like we have now, it forces parties to look at their leadership. Also, it does not give any one party a free hand in policy drafting and radical measures introduced are sure to be defeated. On the other hand a minority govt can make it difficult to get legislation passed, even good legislation.
Arguably after the initial few months of a minority government, it may make the politicians even more opportunistically blood thirsty and wanting to overthrow a new fragile government. A Minority - either a Liberal led Minority or Conservtive led, could be seen as a repudiation of incumbent Trudeau's leadership and cause the Liberal Party to have a leadership review which Trudeau may not survive. For Scheer, a Conservative Minority would likely be seen as a party victory and progression, but a Liberal Minority would cast his leadership and inability to capitalize on Trudeau's instability in the polls as a weakness and could lead to the Conservatives having a Leadership review as well. As for Singh, the rise of the Greens as a popular 3rd alternative over the NDP is among the biggest threats and challenges the Dippers have faced. If the NDP performs poorly and the Greens de-legitimize the NDP, Singh's Leadership may well go to review as well. Of course if there is a Minority government and the NDP under Singh are able to broker an alliiance (perhaps even a coalition) with the Libs (or even Cons - which isn't as likely) that gives them influence and some greater policy making influence in Parliament (and Cabinet) - it would be a coup of a sort for him and perhaps a saving grace with respect to his leadership. For Elizabeth May, the grass is 'green' for her party's political landscape.
