The announcement that the environment will be at the heart of the next election platform is significant for two reasons. To begin with, it's good policy. The environment is, arguably, the most pressing issue of our time, on which many other issues are dependent. In addition, it is the area in which the Conservatives have proven to be the most inept. With the Copenhagen conference in December, it will also be a focal point of public attention.
Secondly, it shows that the party no longer has a phobia of being related, however remotely, to Stephane Dion. The environment was the central plank of Ignatieff's predecessor's platform, the Green Shift. With the announcement that this policy area will be central to the next platform, Ignatieff and the Liberals show that they are confident in themselves, something very important in politics, affecting the perception of a party by potential voters.
For its part, the thinkers' conference being scheduled for January shows that Ignatieff is finally paying real attention to policy. Policy, ideally, is what should win elections. With the schedule being set for January, augurs of a fall election are quickly disappearing. This is a sensible decision, as the election fear mongering has scared voters away from the Liberals.
And now that the Liberals are developing good policy, and as a result of election threats can really oppose, there is every reason that they will return, in more numbers than before. Recommend this Post at Progressive Bloggers If you liked this post, please vote for my blog at Canadian Blogosphere
Can you explain how ignoring the Nuclear and Hydroelectric energy options in his speeches is logical?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the cost to build up those "smart" energy grids and will the cost to the taxpayer be more expensive for those wind/solar/tidal projects?
Will the regular voter buy into spending or increasing their utility Bill by xx% to develop those "greener" solutions?
Do you think this (wind/solar/tidal) speech will stand up to scrutiny?
Do some research you might be shocked at the costs for these projects.
How will these projects be paid for and who stands to benefit from these projects?
Will the regular VOTER see an increase or decrease in their Utility Bill with these PLANS?
How will this sell with the --->middle class <---- who be asked to subsidize the poor and old on low income for an xx% increase in their monthly bill?