To the surprise of nobody the Liberals continue to give us plenty of reasons to make sure in the next federal election, whenever that may be, they remain in opposition where they clearly belong. They continue to be a party in chaos lacking direction and identity and now fractured along French and English lines. Recent reports of Liberals wanting to cross the floor may mean Centrist Liberals are willing to leave their party to join the center and right of center Conservatives.
In spite of cheap and poor taste attacks on him and his government and invented reasons to bring his government down Stephen Harper's star continues to rise with a new groundswell of support and that from such unexpected quarters as women and the city of Toronto. At least three recent polls show Harper and the Conservatives may now be in majority territory with the Conservatives at or close to 40% and the Liberals below 30%. The polls also show a distinct preference by Canadians for Harper as leader over Michael Ignatieff by close to a two to one margin.
As the economy continues to improve Canadians are becoming more and more comfortable with the way Harper and the Conservatives are managing the country and favorably representing Canada on the world stage. They continue to be quite uncomfortable with the idea of a return to Liberal rule anytime soon.
Gerald Hall
Parksville, B.C.
