What just happened?

Chris Selley considers.

Chris Selley considers.

This is a terrific result for Canadian democracy. If the Liberals are to continue on as a political party, they must now confront the black hole where their raison d’être used to be. No more coats of spackle and parachute leaders. Rebuild for real or go away. The Conservatives, meanwhile, get to show us just what they’ll do with a majority. And if turns out to be less awful than New Democrats and Liberals have traditionally suspected, and they’re willing to admit it, our polity will be incalculably healthier for it.