|
The spectacular defection of Belinda Stronach should save Canada's ruling Liberal Party in a budget vote today. But long domination of Canadian politics has left it tainted with corruption and impotent to halt the march of Quebec separatism. Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party should reap the harvest of these failings in federal elections expected, if Paul Martin and the Liberals survive today, in the spring of 2006. Such a victory would mark a historic electoral shift; the Right has come a long way since the Progressive Conservative Party was all but annihilated in 1993.
In the midst of this crisis, the Queen, who arrived in Saskatchewan at the start of a nine-day official visit on Tuesday, provides a reassuring presence. Canada's head of state, she is a symbol of continuity as the federation continues to search for its identity, whether in the relationship between its component parts or in contradistinction to the American giant next door. The prospect of a Liberal defeat led to talk, first of postponing, then curtailing, the royal tour. It now appears that it will go ahead as planned.
Source: The Daily Telegraph.
|
