Crossing the floor

[gramage]

What are the odds some MP's decide to cross the floor to another party as part of all this craziness going on in Ottawa? Personally I would say 50/50 before a coalition forms and 75% likely after. Right now if the Conservatives aren't talking to a few more moderate Liberals about bailing I would be stunned. The Libs have gotten aggressive, and an MP bailing would be just the thing to take the wind out of their sails. After a coalition I wouldn't be suprised if some NDP MP's go independant in protest of the compromises that will have been given, and I would expect some hardline bloc members to be unwilling to sit on a national party.

And I'm all for it. Other then David Emerson changing parties prior to parliament even opening I have no problem with changing sides, especially when party policy is changing as dramatically as it currently is (Emerson of course didn't bother to wait to find out, changing teams the minute he found out he wasn't on the winning team.)

Just another twist to all the madness.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

What are the odds some MP's decide to cross the floor to another party as part of all this craziness going on in Ottawa? Personally I would say 50/50 before a coalition forms and 75% likely after. Right now if the Conservatives aren't talking to a few more moderate Liberals about bailing I would be stunned. The Libs have gotten aggressive, and an MP bailing would be just the thing to take the wind out of their sails. After a coalition I wouldn't be suprised if some NDP MP's go independant in protest of the compromises that will have been given, and I would expect some hardline bloc members to be unwilling to sit on a national party.

And I'm all for it. Other then David Emerson changing parties prior to parliament even opening I have no problem with changing sides, especially when party policy is changing as dramatically as it currently is (Emerson of course didn't bother to wait to find out, changing teams the minute he found out he wasn't on the winning team.)

Just another twist to all the madness.

So you're all for floor crossing as long as Liberals don't do it.

I understand.

 

[gramage]

Um, no. I'm against it when you do it on day one, for no reason other then you want to be in charge. I don't recall the name of the other Liberal that crossed (I think he was one of the 905 MP's though), but when he did it made total sense (had developed a working relationship with the Con's, and felt it better fit what he was doing.)

And any Liberal MP that feels their politics better fit the Conservatives then this new coalition should cross the floor, or sit as an independant. Don't let party loyalty cause you to go against your beliefs.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

Um, no. I'm against it when you do it on day one, for no reason other then you want to be in charge. I don't recall the name of the other Liberal that crossed (I think he was one of the 905 MP's though), but when he did it made total sense (had developed a working relationship with the Con's, and felt it better fit what he was doing.)

And any Liberal MP that feels their politics better fit the Conservatives then this new coalition should cross the floor, or sit as an independant. Don't let party loyalty cause you to go against your beliefs.

We're talking about politicians, the majority of their "beliefs" come from public opinion polls.

 

[red]

i think if you change parties it should trigger an automatic byelection within 60 or 90 days. not controlled by the PM.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

i think if you change parties it should trigger an automatic byelection within 60 or 90 days. not controlled by the PM.

I agree with this.

 

[Anynym]

i think if you change parties it should trigger an automatic byelection within 60 or 90 days. not controlled by the PM.

In Canada, it is the candidate who is elected, not the Party with which they have affiliated themselves. The suggestion of forcing their resignation based on policies which they choose to not adopt once elected is not an appropriate approach, in my opinion.

 

[gramage]

In Canada, it is the candidate who is elected, not the Party with which they have affiliated themselves. The suggestion of forcing their resignation based on policies which they choose to not adopt once elected is not an appropriate approach, in my opinion.

Agreed.

And it's at times like this I want MP's to take a stand. When John Nunziata refused to vote with the Liberal party because they broke there promise about eliminating the GST he knew he was getting booted from the party, but he wasn't going to let other people force him to betray his beliefs or break his promise. When someone crosses the floor most of the time it is because the party went against what they were willing to be a part of, and I want politicians willing to act with that integrity. So if it's Liberals going Conservative because that party is closer to their ideals, Conservatives going Liberal Because they Don't trust Harper for having triggered this, or NDP and BQ members sitting as independants because they wont bepart of a compromise if they aren't happy with what is going on they need to do something about it because their ridings expect them to vote for what they believe in (I hope, if most people are voting team colour only we're way past screwed)

 

[red]

In Canada, it is the candidate who is elected, not the Party with which they have affiliated themselves. The suggestion of forcing their resignation based on policies which they choose to not adopt once elected is not an appropriate approach, in my opinion.

while legally correct I must respectfully disagree with your position. I believe that most voters vote for the party/leader and therefore by crossing the floor and joining the other party it morally negates the will of the voters. If the crossing is based on some moral or ethical principal then the case for this crossing can be made to the voters who should have the right to decide the issue.

 

[bogo]

You couldn't fault someone for crossing the floor to avoid sitting in a separatist coalition.

 

[chiller_boy]

i think if you change parties it should trigger an automatic byelection within 60 or 90 days. not controlled by the PM.

There are arguments both ways - vote for party or the candidate. But wouldn't the quick election resolve this? Constituents would be asked to suport man or party? Emerson would have been creamed in BC.

 

[train]

In Canada, it is the candidate who is elected, not the Party with which they have affiliated themselves. The suggestion of forcing their resignation based on policies which they choose to not adopt once elected is not an appropriate approach, in my opinion.

True , but 80% of the voters are really voting for a party because it is the party causus which really sets the policy.

 

[LancsLad]

When Churchill was questioned as to why he crossed the floor, he responded that he was not leaving the Party, the Party had left him.



It would be interesting to see if any libs from normal parts of the country actually have the guts to stand up and cross in the face of this deal with the devil that celine has struck.


.

 

[red]

When Churchill was questioned as to why he crossed the floor, he responded that he was not leaving the Party, the Party had left him.



It would be interesting to see if any libs from normal parts of the country actually have the guts to stand up and cross in the face of this deal with the devil that celine has struck.


.

it will be just as interesting to see if any conservatives cross the floor.

 

[train]

It would be interesting to see if any libs from normal parts of the country actually have the guts to stand up and cross in the face of this deal with the devil that celine has struck.


.

I can't believe that Celine brokered this deal. He couldn't get consensus from his own party much less a coalition. Perhaps he was picked because he was seen as so non-threatening to Layton and Gilles. He was the least popular leader two months ago.

Wonder who the real power broker is ? Other than throwing money at "Quebec Election pavement" type projects wonder what they have planned or if they have even thought that far ahead.

This will be interesting but I can't think of a worse time for this to be happening. Talk about the opposite of stability.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

I can't believe that Celine brokered this deal. He couldn't get consensus from his own party much less a coalition. Perhaps he was picked because he was seen as so non-threatening to Layton and Gilles. He was the least popular leader two months ago.

Wonder who the real power broker is ? Other than throwing money at "Quebec Election pavement" type projects wonder what they have planned or if they have even thought that far ahead.

This will be interesting but I can't think of a worse time for this to be happening. Talk about the opposite of stability.

Dion couldn't broker a piss up in a brewery.

He is the puppet until the Liberals decide who the next PM will be. Sound familiar?

 

[LancsLad]

it will be just as interesting to see if any conservatives cross the floor.

If they do, you are right it would be interesting.


If so just tell them to ignore the red light, it will all be over soon.




.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

I would like to see your data on that ... because in my experience a good candidate at the riding level trumps Party most of the time.


bbk

I don't know what the data is but your scenario doesn't apply to me.

I vote for my MP based on who I want to run the country. I wouldn't be surprised to discover the majority of Canadians vote the same way.

 

[gramage]

I don't know what the data is but your scenario doesn't apply to me.

I vote for my MP based on who I want to run the country. I wouldn't be surprised to discover the majority of Canadians vote the same way.

I'd find it pretty sad though. If your voting for your leader not the person who is going to represent you they could shave a monkey and get it elected. In fact that may explain the conservative backbenchers, and Bob Rae winning in Toronto Centre (which includes the Church/Wellesly villiage) after failing as Premier both economically and in his promise to make gays a protected minority (instead they had to wait for Mike Harris to protect them. MIKE HARRIS!)

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

I'd find it pretty sad though. If your voting for your leader not the person who is going to represent you they could shave a monkey and get it elected. In fact that may explain the conservative backbenchers, and Bob Rae winning in Toronto Centre (which includes the Church/Wellesly villiage) after failing as Premier both economically and in his promise to make gays a protected minority (instead they had to wait for Mike Harris to protect them. MIKE HARRIS!)

It's an unfortunate reality in a Parliamentary system.

The party in government has the only tangible impact on a citizen of any riding. MP's are, for the most part, mere pawns. A collection of "ayes" and "nays" forced to tow the party line.