Layton: PM must 'reach out' to avoid election

[Spazito]

snip

The prime minister has a responsibility to understand that he cannot govern alone," Layton said. "If Mr. Harper wants to avoid an election he must reach out to other parties. If he fails to do so, then we have an election."

Layton insisted his party has publicly presented its position on employment insurance, pension protection and limits on credit card interest and ATM fees in the House of Commons.

snip

Layton has repeatedly ridiculed the Liberals for voting with the Tories numerous times in the past two years and has previously said his party had no confidence in Harper. On Thursday, he denied he was changing his position by listening to what Harper would offer.

"We did not have confidence before, but if he shows leadership at this key time and says he will work with the other parties in order to improve the situation of Canadians and build the economy by looking at some of our key proposals … then that means that there is an opportunity to have discussions," Layton said.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/09/03/harper-election090309.html

I have come to dispise this man and think he betrays the ideals of his party in the interests of promoting himself.

[daleo]

1. I think Harper wants an election anyway

He gave himself away when he accused the Liberals of wanting to "roll the dice" (it is projection on his part).

I can't see a Harper-Layton concord lasting 10 minutes, especially after Harper's accusations of near-treason against the NDP last December.

[Spazito]

2. I agree with you, Harper has already come out and said...

No backroom deals". Why Layton even went there in his press conference is beyond me. Harper had already made his declarative statement before Layton spoke.

[CHIMO]

3. Not Much Time

Left for him to make a decision. With the free ride that he has been getting lately it seems to me that Harper is rolling the dice. He probably expects the Liberals to back down.

What he is not thinking about is that this will be his roll of the dice. If he comes in with less members then his time is limited. The sharks are already there.

[Spazito]

4. I don't see the Liberals backing down this time...

Ignatieff seemed to be quite clear in his statements. As to where the Bloc and the NDP stand, it seems unclear as yet, imo.

[CHIMO]

5. I Don't Think That He Will

Back down either.

Their polls now indicate that they are equal with the Cons. Their finances and financing has improved immensely.

Harper should be concerned with getting less seats than he did last time.

With the popular vote split evenly between the Liberals and Conservatives, Harper should be concerned with votes congealing on a possible alternative.

I would expect Harper will make a backroom deal.

[Spazito]

6. It does seem, from this article at least, Harper is using some 'weasel words'

that may, indeed, lead to a backroom deal with either the Bloc or the NDP:

But both the Tory Prime Minister and the NDP Leader leave door open, slightly, for election-avoiding co-operation


“If other parties have useful ideas, good, effective, affordable ideas on the economy, let us see what they are and we'll take a look at them,” he said. “But we will not be doing backroom deals.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-layton-rule-out-backroom-deals/article1274520/