Ottawa

What now? (II)

Brian Topp considers.

No progressive can welcome the election of a majority Conservative government. But in our best long-term interests, we shouldn’t be too churlish about it either. When the time comes, hopefully in a few short years, we will be looking to Conservatives to accept their replacement by a fearlessly (if prudently) progressive government, without raising existential issues about the country or our democracy. With an eye to setting a good precedent, Mr. Layton was therefore wise to congratulate Stephen Harper on his victory, and to pledge to work co-operatively with the new government where possible, while working diligently to offer Canadians what will be (by our lights) a much better alternative.

What does Mr. Layton have to work with to do that? A remarkably good hand – if played well , that’s what.

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