Interesting piece, Martin, ambitious and aspirational. Lots to chew on in the face of difficult prospects for the traditional "party of the centre". I agree that, given current polling trends, the left-wing parties should work together to find the best possible timing and circumstances. It does them no good to end up with a couple handful of seats between them.
I disagree that Trudeau should stay on as leader into the next election. There is honestly so much negativity, frustration, and disengagement within the progressive community here in Canada and, rightly or wrongly (more the former than the latter, if I'm honest), the Prime Minister has become both a cause and a symbol for left-wing alienation and despondency. I'd argue that similar to how Kamala Harris successfully revitalised the Democratic presidential campaign when she took over for Biden (before questionable strategy derailed her bid) a Liberal new leader *could* bring some energy and hope back to the left wing constituencies across the country, give some swagger back to the Liberal Party, and drive voter engagement and turnout. Not a guarantee but seems low risk, high reward.
Canadians seem have made up their mind on the Conservative leader, for the time being at least. He's an adept communicator and has a tight message and will control the media narrative if given the opportunity. Rather, I think the Liberals should welcome a chance redefine themselves in the eyes of Canadians with a fresh leader and new platform. If they have any hope of holding the Conservatives to minority government they need to be fighting the election on their terms and the current narrative is not going to cut it. As we've learned from the States, the party that is successful in setting the message (no matter what that message is) is usually the one that carries the election.
Interesting piece, Martin, ambitious and aspirational. Lots to chew on in the face of difficult prospects for the traditional "party of the centre". I agree that, given current polling trends, the left-wing parties should work together to find the best possible timing and circumstances. It does them no good to end up with a couple handful of seats between them.
I disagree that Trudeau should stay on as leader into the next election. There is honestly so much negativity, frustration, and disengagement within the progressive community here in Canada and, rightly or wrongly (more the former than the latter, if I'm honest), the Prime Minister has become both a cause and a symbol for left-wing alienation and despondency. I'd argue that similar to how Kamala Harris successfully revitalised the Democratic presidential campaign when she took over for Biden (before questionable strategy derailed her bid) a Liberal new leader *could* bring some energy and hope back to the left wing constituencies across the country, give some swagger back to the Liberal Party, and drive voter engagement and turnout. Not a guarantee but seems low risk, high reward.
Canadians seem have made up their mind on the Conservative leader, for the time being at least. He's an adept communicator and has a tight message and will control the media narrative if given the opportunity. Rather, I think the Liberals should welcome a chance redefine themselves in the eyes of Canadians with a fresh leader and new platform. If they have any hope of holding the Conservatives to minority government they need to be fighting the election on their terms and the current narrative is not going to cut it. As we've learned from the States, the party that is successful in setting the message (no matter what that message is) is usually the one that carries the election.
Thanks Matt. The die is cast now; we'll see what happens.