Temporarily Liberal
Getting pragmatic in my old age.
I’ve switched back and forth over the past 60 years or so between Liberal and NDP, preferring center and/or left of centre, as society changed, my values changed, and each party’s focus changed. But never a Conservative, as to me that would mean ignoring logic and science, at least in the party’s current incarnation. Maybe they need to split off the Canadian Alliance again. Right now, I’m a fan of our Liberal Prime Minister, Carney. I think he’s our best choice now, and is doing a good job. He’s not Trudeau, and he’s mixing up some of the ‘old guard’, while retaining a strong team against Trump.
Speaking of G7 - I think it went well, all things considered. Partially because Trump left early - supposedly to deal with the Israel/Iran crisis, but mainly to avoid a tri-lateral discussion with Carney and the president of Mexico, plus a meetup with Zelensky. Or maybe he was just tired out and fading. I saw a quote (?) from one of his “handlers’ it was like walking a tightrope with no net and a catheter. At any rate, I think Trump rightly suspected that Carney would not let him bully the Ukrainian leader like he had in the Oval Office. Interesting that the next day, with Trump’s chair now empty next to him, Carney sat Zelensky in it.
Detractors of Carney have complained that he is not a politician, but maybe that’s a good thing. He does have some problems weaselling out of pointed questions in scrums with reporters, but he does speak and act shrewdly when needed. When Trump stood there at the G7, going on about tariffs and how his version was so simple, and Carney’s view was more complicated, but some liked it, Carney turned to the cameras and damned if he didn’t wink at us! AKA an asymmetrical blink. During his summary, our Prime Minister made a number of subtle digs at Trump. He said that when the G7 was created some 50 years ago, it was not to preserve the old order but to build a new, more resilient one. That nostalgia is not a strategy. (As in MAGA?) Smart cooperation with other countries. Long-term resilience versus short-term efficiency. Deeper alliances with stable democracies that share our interests, values, and principles. He also spoke at length about support for Ukraine, and mentioned a new international critical mineral alliance. Without China, and with the US only as one of many members.
I’ll link the press conference below, it’s about 7 minutes.
Back to political options. I’m not a Conservative fan as the party is now. But I think there is room and a need in our political spectrum for some right or centre views - just not the hard right extremists that seem to pattern their behaviour by mimicking their counterparts in the US. Is that a new and improved party that Poilievre can lead? I’m not sure he’s capable of a pivot, of any change, or of a willingness to reject those extremists willing to vote and donate money. He does seem to be stuck in the past still when he appears in the foyer of the House of Commons to speak to reporters. Flanked by another MP, as he needs that to appear there, being unelected himself. There is criticism, from other Conservatives, that every time he stands there speaking, he reminds people he is a loser. Maybe he will focus on his re-election. Damien Kurel, who won the Conservative seat in Battle River-Crowfoot with 80% of the vote, has indicated he will step down. Carnet has said he will call a byelection there ASAP. It will be interesting to see what platform PP runs on, since - as he has complained - the Liberals have adopted a number of points from the Conservative platform. Poilievre is also conducting his own review of the election to determine what went wrong. Hint - I’m guessing none of it was his fault. And he has a leadership review in January, for whatever that’s worth.
Edit - added this - if Trudeau had left earlier and Poilievre was PM, how would he have fared so far against Trump? What sort of G7 would he have run, and with which ‘extra’ attendees?
As for ‘my’ NDP? What went wrong there? Changing political landscape in the US and here, Liberals and Conservatives are grabbing voters. And of course, there was Trump, a danger calling for immediate and strong leadership. NDP leader Singh seemed ineffective, and the party was unsure of their new values and focus. Time for some reflection.
Good stuff!