Dion gave as the reason for not defeating the government on the Throne Speech, the fact that Canadians do not want another election so soon. Therefore, the Liberals will try to make Parliament work.
This is an extraordinarily clumsy response. Which tin ear in the Liberal caucus and advisor group came up with this twaddle?
The reasons mean that the Liberal Party is now on the run, chased by a relentless Harper. Evidence? As soon as Harper heard Dion, he said that the Omnibus Bill on criminal law changes was now a matter of confidence. Not one amendment would be accepted.
Where does that leave the Liberals?
Between a rock and a hard place, hoisted on their own petard!
In facing this bill - and believe me there will be countless others - the Liberal Party must now choose only one of two courses of action, having pledged not to use the third (voting against the government on confidence matters and forcing an early election).
So the only two choices for the Liberals will be:
Vote for Harper's confidence bills, even if the LPC opposes parts of them (as is the case with the criminal law amendments).
Or abstain, and let Harper win the vote because he has more seats than the Bloc plus the NDP.
What has happened? Simple. Harper outfoxed Dion, and forced Dion to give him a blank cheque. And Harper will cash that cheque, repeatedly.
No wonder Layton was so incensed: at least he can count votes.
Somebody send Dion and his advisors some calculators, please!
