Most Liberal MPs staying out of B.C. election, but NDP MPs getting involved
Most Liberal MPs from British Columbia are staying out of the provincial election happening next week, saying it’s not in their “best interest” to interfere, but a handful of NDP MPs are helping out their provincial cousins in this campaign. In interviews last week, B.C. Liberal MPs said they’re staying neutral because the provincial Liberal […]
Leadership in the 21st century: politicians need not apply
OTTAWA—French voters proved once again that all bets are off when it comes to modern elections. “In one year, we have changed the face of French politics,” Emmanuel Macron, the outsider who came out on top in the first round of France’s presidential vote, told supporters in Paris. To say French voters wanted something different […]
So much for the populist wave
LONDON, U.K.—In his victory speech on Sunday night, Emmanuel Macron, likely the next president of France, said: “I want to become…the president of the patriots in the face of the threat from the nationalists.” The distinction would be lost on most Trump supporters in the United States, and on the “Little Englanders” who voted for […]
Orange Wave Crashing: New Democrats put on a brave face in the wake of the damaging 2013 caucus revolt
ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—May 17, 2014. Here’s a partial list of the things New Democrats like: pensions, solidarity, health care, unions, shouting “shame!”, photocopied pamphlets, and hugging. Here’s what New Democrats don’t like: Stephen Harper and giving short speeches. On the Victoria Day long weekend in St. John’s, New Democrats were in fine form, giving long speeches […]
Byelections have limited potential for fortune-telling
TORONTO—Reading the news about last week’s federal byelections, you might get the impression that the Trudeau government is in trouble and the Conservatives are on the rise, when in fact both interpretations are wrong. Mid-term elections are traditionally problematic for every government. Voters tend to unload some expected frustration because they might feel the government is […]
Trump could be one of the ‘greatest’ presidents if he keeps promises, says former adviser
Donald Trump could become one of the “greatest” presidents the United States has ever known if he can deliver on the promises he made during the election campaign, says past Trump adviser and longtime Republican Party operative Roger Stone. “He has the capacity to be one of our greatest presidents, but only if he will […]
Byelections give Liberals some cause for concern
Gender parity was the hands-down winner of Monday’s five federal byelections. The Conservative brand was a close second, but not necessarily for reasons related to the continuing federal leadership campaign. Where there were five male MPs on election night 2015, there are now four women and one man. Mona Fortier, Mary Ng, and Emmanuella Lambropoulos […]
Byelections, filibusters, and other godsends in boring April
OTTAWA—Canadian politics is pretty damn boring right now. Call that an uncomfortable truth for a column writer as I sit here trying to pick a riveting subject to engage you the reader. How about something on those recent byelections? No. Can you spell lame? I always love those byelection stories and how the contests themselves […]
Trudeau leads Liberal apathy towards House
Justin Trudeau does not much like the House of Commons and the feeling is mutual. This is not a statement on the people who sit alongside or across from the prime minister, or the latter’s feelings toward them. A majority of MPs owe their seats to Trudeau’s campaign skills and they are grateful to him […]
Former PMO staffer Webb dies, ‘won’t forget his good nature, intellect, and hard work in PMO from 2010-15’
Shaun Webb, a former staffer in the office of prime minister Stephen Harper from 2010 to 2015, died on March 26 at the age of 34. It’s believed his death was caused by a blood clot that dislodged into his heart as a result of complications from a broken foot he suffered on a recent […]
