Quote:
Originally Posted by highthief
Yup, it does. Layton had a chance to be a big, stand up player here, but he came off looking weak and sneaky.
I'll bet you any money we get almost exactly what we have right now, with maybe the Liberals getting a couple more seats.
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Weak and sneaky? Are we looking at the same political landscape? In my eyes Layton stood up and said, Let's get down to business and get the laws that the house wants to see passed... passed.
Both the Bloc and the Conservatives supported him on this. He did what good politicians do... he struck a compromise between those who would dig in their heels and stick around until March and those who would pull the plug now. He also agreed that if the compromise couldn't be reached he would sink the government as soon as possible. Which he did, when he seconded Harper's motion of non-confidence.
There was nothing weak, sneaky or double dealing there. It was good governance (or an attempt at it). If Harper even showed half of this sort of ability he would be prime minister right now instead of Martin.
Politicians who, in a minority government situation, can build consensus like this are "big stand up players".