CanPol: May(?) 2011 Election. Vote today!

[Ninot]

I'm not voting because I can't be bothered to figure out how to do that from the Philippines. I'm not a conservative but I sorta like Harper, so I don't really care how this goes. If I was back home though I'd vote Bloc, just because I like to cause trouble.

[Wezil]

Voting BQ was an interesting strategy a couple decades ago but it has run its course. The federal parties have given up on buying Quebec votes now. They are prepared to let the BQ win the seats while they focus on other parts of the country.

Support for the BQ has become self-defeating.

[Kuciwalker]

I would vote to change your system of government to one that has actual separation of powers.

Are you serious? Parliamentary democracy is 100x less ridiculous than our system.

(more precisely, parliamentary democracy with strong party discipline)

[Wezil]

Why do you hate America?

[Guynemer]

I'm not sure "strong party discipline" is a good in and of itself.

[Wezil]

The role of the MP is a never ending debate.

[Hauldren Collider]

Disagree with Kuciwalker 100%.

[notyoueither]

I'm wondering what effect all the noise about coalitions will have on the outcome.

I think it is pretty clear that for Harper it is majority or bust. The Liberals are emboldened and can form a government with or without a formal coalition. Using recent results for the math, if both the NDP and the Bloc refuse to back a Conservative throne speech, government will fall to the Liberals by default. If not enough NDP and BQ MPs support the Liberal throne speech, we'd likely be looking at a truely hung parliament and fresh elections.

[Asher]

Will be hard to Iggy to credibly lead a coalition after his explicit statements that he won't.

[notyoueither]

He does not need a formal coalition. If the NDP and Bloc refuse to support a Conservative throne speech the GG would ask Iggy if he could form a government. It would then be down to whether the BQ and or the NDP back his throne speech. This assumes a repeat of past results for seat tallies.

[notyoueither]

Assuming hostility to Steve continuing as PM, that is why I say Harper is on a majority or bust course.

[BlackCat]

Canuk deroute continues

I see two choices - become a danish colony or a US protectorate

[notyoueither]

[Wezil]

I think it is pretty clear that for Harper it is majority or bust. The Liberals are emboldened and can form a government with or without a formal coalition. Using recent results for the math, if both the NDP and the Bloc refuse to back a Conservative throne speech, government will fall to the Liberals by default. If not enough NDP and BQ MPs support the Liberal throne speech, we'd likely be looking at a truely hung parliament and fresh elections.

Agreed completely. I don't understand the talk of another C- minority as I can see no way this Opposition would sit through another term by this PM. Too much bad blood. It's majority or bust.

Your opening question re - the effect the coalition talk will have? Historically it has helped Harper of course.

[notyoueither]

I'm thinking that when it sinks in that we face a Liberal government dependent on the Bloc to govern, Iggy is going to have a very short political career.

I'm also wondering if parts of the Liberal party led him into this now to get rid of him sooner rather than later.