That's if the press can be induced to get off their duffs and examine it as policy, rather than indulging in the usual idle speculation on how it will play politically. So far, most of the commentary has been confined to guffawing at Stéphane Dion for his naïveté in suggesting it. "Mr. Dion's idea," the National Post declared authoritatively, "will be suicidal at the polls." This is why Dion will never be prime minister, the paper's comment editor, Jonathan Kay, agreed, while the Globe and Mail's Margaret Wente saw it as evidence of his "unerring instinct for his own jugular." To be fair, that's what many anonymous Liberals are saying, taking advantage of the witness protection program the Globe appears to be operating on its front page. - Andrew Coyne
Politics has always made for strange bedfellows and I am learning to never say never. It seems as if Stephane Dion is taking advice from Andrew Coyne, going with big ideas to capture the imagination of the nation and create a divisive issue that clearly shows the difference between the Liberals and the Conservatives.
Coyne's latest column at Macleans.ca illustrates that despite the "Nervous Nellies" in the Liberal Caucus this "Carbon Tax" may become the defining difference between the parties. An election on the environment plays well for Dion.
1 comments:
Peter:
At first glance, Dion’s proposed Carbon tax looks like political suicide (Check out the cartoon in Le Devoir http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/05/15/189745.html) According to the CBC’s National last night, two examples that lead to “political oblivion” are Robert Standfield’s proposed Wage and Price Control in 1974 and Joe Clark’s 18 cents a gallon tax on gasoline in 1980. We know what happened there. With the Conservatives openly questioning (and mocking) the move, and fellow Liberals secretly questioning the sanity of their leader, it’s easy to see why this is seen as another step on a journey to being a footnote in Canadian politics.
But as Coyne (of all people) suggests, it’s a gamble they may work. Canadians are more concerned than ever about the environment so it will appeal to many on that level. Part of the plan calls for a tax cut – something that has been lost in translation, if you will. Dion has to ensure that Canadians are aware of this. And he needs the help of his party to get this message across. That may be a challenge and something that doesn’t seem to be in the cards if you believe the pundits. Finally, what does he have to lose with this announcement? I think he is already on shaky ground - what with many Liberals questioning his leadership style and ability. Perhaps this will be the shot in the arm he needs. If it falls flat, it may only delay the inevitable. If it works, not only will he appeal to more of the electorate, he’ll look like a shrewd leader and help put an end to rumblings in his caucus.
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