Post Election Mantra
Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Conservatives didn't get what they wanted and needed in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. The pundits are seeing it as a simple urban/rural split. It isn't and they're wrong.
This is a shift in power and ideology that could not be realized in one election. Politically entrenched power, wealth and influence remain in these major economic centres inspite of a corrupt and scandalous Liberal government. It was not the average urban voter who prevented Stephen Harper from getting the seats he would have liked. It was the power brokers, who had invested heavily in the Liberal party, and were not ready to walk away from that investment and the dividends it generated. With the Liberals in opposition those dividends are not so attractive or attainable. Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver will be looking to reinvest. A minority government will give Stephen Harper time to close the deal he pitched everywhere else. Or not.
That said, as much as I love the opinionated and refreshingly politically incorrect animals out on the ranch I'm hoping not to have to hear anymore about voters in "the east" continuing to support the nanny state. Twelve of eighteen ridings in eastern Ontario went Conservative last night including four new ones. The seats that turfed the Liberals came from gains in Ontario and Quebec. The west is finally in and for me that is the most exciting thing to happen in this country in a very long time.
Now for a bit of tough love. We were Toronto bashing here in eastern Ontario long before it became fashionable in the west - vying for regional power and representation when the west was still one vast territory full of potential and opportunity.
The west is in, but staying there requires a strategy that Albertans in particular have not had much experience with, nor patience for. With seats in the legislative assembly and cabinet determined during the nomination race, provincially at least, they have not had to fight an elected opposition in a very long time. We play a different game here in the east, not because we want to but because we have to. Get behind your boy. Voters in every province have and it wasn't just to punish the Liberals.
The west is in .... repeat after me Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
This is a shift in power and ideology that could not be realized in one election. Politically entrenched power, wealth and influence remain in these major economic centres inspite of a corrupt and scandalous Liberal government. It was not the average urban voter who prevented Stephen Harper from getting the seats he would have liked. It was the power brokers, who had invested heavily in the Liberal party, and were not ready to walk away from that investment and the dividends it generated. With the Liberals in opposition those dividends are not so attractive or attainable. Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver will be looking to reinvest. A minority government will give Stephen Harper time to close the deal he pitched everywhere else. Or not.
That said, as much as I love the opinionated and refreshingly politically incorrect animals out on the ranch I'm hoping not to have to hear anymore about voters in "the east" continuing to support the nanny state. Twelve of eighteen ridings in eastern Ontario went Conservative last night including four new ones. The seats that turfed the Liberals came from gains in Ontario and Quebec. The west is finally in and for me that is the most exciting thing to happen in this country in a very long time.
Now for a bit of tough love. We were Toronto bashing here in eastern Ontario long before it became fashionable in the west - vying for regional power and representation when the west was still one vast territory full of potential and opportunity.
The west is in, but staying there requires a strategy that Albertans in particular have not had much experience with, nor patience for. With seats in the legislative assembly and cabinet determined during the nomination race, provincially at least, they have not had to fight an elected opposition in a very long time. We play a different game here in the east, not because we want to but because we have to. Get behind your boy. Voters in every province have and it wasn't just to punish the Liberals.
The west is in .... repeat after me Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
posted by glenda at 9:57 AM
5 Comments:
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Let me try say this again.
In the Toronto papers today the Mayor is quoted to as saying that the Tories better come with their arms and wallets out to heal the divide etc. but I think this should be a wake up call to the citizens of the three large urban centres that they are seriously out of step with mainstream Canada.
Yeah, I wrote about this late last night. As Coyne points out, I should have used "Metropolis" rather than "major urban centre", but the thought's the same.
http://www.thiscanada.com/2006/01/25/the-lemmings/
I'm surprised that Well, Cosh and Coyne haven't spotted the other reason (apart from immigrants), the greater "mass" of the under-30's.
I saw the tail end of that clip Kate. He had that morning-after dejected look to him.
Erik, your observation is correct as well I think.
All said the conservatives at least now have their attention if not their support.
What's up with McGuinty "inviting" Mr. Harper to give him a call ASAP? If I were Harper, he'd be one of the last premiers I'd call.
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