Blog
Coalition government faltering
(By Matthew Brett) I have been following events as the unfold on Parliament Hill from the press gallery all week, and I have gained some unfortunate insight.
On Wednesday, Harper went to great lengths to reach out to Liberal MPs in an effort to make the coalition crumble.
Earlier in Wednesday as the parties’ caucus meetings came to an end, I overheard one Liberal speaking to the press about his willingness to go back to the table with the Conservatives. This coalition clearly doesn’t have the support of all Liberals, and as Chantal Hebert said last night, cracks are beginning to appear.
If the government prorogues, which seems like the most likely option at this point, Harper has the most to gain. He will have the time necessary to speak with Liberal and Bloc MPs to try and woo them back to Conservative minority territory. He’ll also have the chance to revise his financial statement and make the major concessions required in the budget as a means of winning over more Liberals.
The true strength of this coalition would be proved if it can survive prorogation. Stephane Dion has been called incredibly stubborn in the past. This is a coalition he can hold together, unless pressure from outside interests and his own MPs becomes so severe that he has to fold.
Matthew Brett is the Canadian Dimension weblog manager. The views expressed on this blog do not necessarily represent his own. Read more by Matthew Brett.
