Layton won't back Liberals

[Telly Savalas]

NDP Leader Jack Layton said his party won't support the Liberal government in any new non-confidence vote as he rejected a Liberal proposal to protect public health and opened the door for a possible Christmas election.
...
He had said his decision whether to support the Liberals in a future confidence vote rested on the Liberal response to an NDP call for increased protections for public health care.

The earliest date for such a motion is Nov. 15.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/11/07/layton_government051107.html

I'm sure that most of you are already aware of this, but I'm just fishing for opinions. While I think it's probably a good idea just to get the election over with since it's probably going to happen in the next few months anayway, I don't really see the balance of power changing too much.

If I had to put money on it, I'd say the Bloc and NDP might each pickup a handful of seats, the Reform Party will lose a few, and the Liberals will hold steady with a plurality of seats in another minority government.

[CHIMO]

1. Well To Say The Least

It has shown some unexpected consequences.

First one that hits me is that Harper seems to be saying "well the NDP is not really going to do it". Which is funny since after the weekend poll and his stance that we should have an election now. Also the Bloc seemed to be settling in for a spring election and then after the weekend appeared to shift a little but now seem to be backing away.

Back tracking a bit Harper threw out the Quebec influence in things awhile back and took a different stance. With that Peter M. appeared to feel that he had lost his base and considered leaving. But he is hanging in. So the only other group left in the picture is the "Big Blue Tory Machine" in Ontario. And I don't know where they are with Harper but perhaps that is what Martin is playing with?

It almost seems like Harper is trying to paint the Liberals as NDP and the Liberals trying to distance themselves from the NDP.

I think that the NDP have an issue with health care, especially after hearing the federal minister of health tonight, that excluding doctors from double dipping would take an agreement with the provincial governments. If the NDP approach this correctly I think that they could take the issue over the heads of both jurisdictions and to the people.
If the provinces want the money no double dipping.

Also Martin will have a harder time crying wolf for a second time but he doesn't seem to have any feeling about it.

Finally the old PC's that parked their vote with the Liberals in the last election may now be willing to move to the NDP after seeing Martin in South America in step with Bush.

So I guess it will come down to who is going to have the largest bloc in parliament after the next election.

[CHIMO]

2. And For A Bit More

Alta Grits say leaked documents prove government plans private health care

EDMONTON (CP) - The Alberta government appears determined to privatize health-care services, even if it violates the Canada Health Act and threatens millions of dollars in federal funding, the Opposition Liberals charged Tuesday.

Health critic Laurie Blakeman said the proof is in leaked documents she believes were used recently to brief members of the Tory caucus on the government's so-called Third Way for health care.

Alberta's plans could easily become a political football in the impeding federal election, since NDP Leader Jack Layton has withdrawn his support for Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority government over the public health-care issue.

Blakeman said the Alberta Liberals received the leaked documents two weeks ago, but she denied her federal counterparts had anything to do with her decision to release them Tuesday.

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n110891A

Makes one wonder if Ralphie isn't after Harper's job.