is compelling (and infuriating) reading. But his view that the Liberal Party is history is premature. Still the book is interesting.
There is some interest in reading about details of the inner working of the Liberal Party (if, like me, you are a Liberal) but candidly that's more gossip than real history.
What's more interesting is how Newman doesn't explain, or even try to explain, how the Conservatives won or the NDP triumphed. Now, in fairness, he was writing about Liberals but what seems clear is that the Conservative victory was due to (1) Stephen Harper's total control of his Party and (2) the lack of an alternate leader who inspired confidence (Layton came close I grant you).
Now, the Conservatives are slowly imploding themselves. The dangers of power -- corruption and arrogance -- can undermine any government. To avoid a fall the Conservatives will have to reinvent themselves but that will be hard without a new Leader and who would replace Harper?
Accordingly, a reasonable opposition Party can be elected on a 'throw the bums out' platform. That opposition could be the NDP -- but we'll see who they choose as Leader.
My sense is we will be the functional opposition by the next election -- especially if we rejuvenate the moribund Ridings with some new faces and some excitement.
2 comments:
Liberal Canada is alive and well under Harper.
Government controlled rationed health care.
Gun control.
No right to self defense.
Speech controls.
Energy controls.
Education controls.
Media controls.
Unlimited abortion right up until the second of birth, on the taxpayers dime.
Need more.
Harper is a fascist dictator no different than the current leader of China.
I just finished the book as well. I disagree with his ultimate conclusion, but his criticisms of the party are very well-founded.
There are very severe problems in the LPC. Only by admitting they exist can we actually start to resolve them.
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