What Opposition?
Russell Wangersky in The Telegram:
My view of Newfoundland and Labrador politics is very much on the outside looking in; I don’t live in the province, so I get my information from family, friends and media. The Liberals most potent public voice of late has been John Efford — probably the most controversial player on the scene in recent months (aside from the Premier), and possibly the most unpopular. I may be skewing this too much through the Fair Deal lens; what do you think of the Liberal party in NL now? Do they have an image problem?
In other news, Ontario Premier calls the deal unfair. Completely unrelated to Danny Williams or the deal or Newfoundland, Wente’s take on the Gomery Inquiry, The guy who has the most balls wins, is worth a read for the humour value alone (today’s Globe).
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The Liberal Party in NL definitely has an image problem. I believe it starts at the top. I don’t believe anybody is interested in anything Roger Grimes has to say anymore, even if he has a valid point. That is were they should start, a new leader for the party. I suspect that is going to happen soon enough, it would be nice to see a fresh face with fresh ideas and not the same old same old.
On the article from Wangersky. I would agree with most of what he has to say except with the part that you must oppose just for the sake of opposing, he may not have said that exactly but that is what I took from it. I feel that is the problem many times, there is too much politics in politics if that makes any sence. What I mean is that a good idea is a good idea no matter who it comes from. If we can work together on the good ideas we may make more progress. I guess the problem with that is what is the marker of a good idea. I guess that sounds a little too idealistic. I do agree we need a strong opposition, so lets hope when they are doing their job as official opposition they also have alternative solutions for the issue at hand. When I listen to some of their debates that seems to be lacking.
Comment by B. Scaplen — 2/10/2005 @ 10:08 amThis is a good issue to discuss. It goes to the day to day operation of government in the province.
Roger Grimes decision to stay on as leader was the wrong choice. I’m sure he is a nice guy and all, but the provincial liberal party is washed up big time. The government is basically getting a free ride because of it and they know it/relish it.
I have been thinking that since Oct. 24th 03. Anything they ever raise in the House can be thrown back at them by the government because of their record from the previous decade. It makes for basically a useless debate.
The really need some fresh blood. The recent news of the Child Advocate and Citizens Representative only serve to reinforce negative images of “liberal politics” in the province. As well, like Wangersky said, the lingering effects of their weak pr/propaganda campaigns of the Grimes administration haunts their credibility again.
The point of the opposition to oppose. That is the core of our democratic system. If they can’t do it we are sure to run into problems. It’s not healthy. The PC’s already have a sizeable majority so that makes it even more important because they are definitely not always right.
That said, charisma is the ultimate political capital everywhere, but no more so than Newfoundland and Labrador. First off, to in the spirit of Dann"y” and Joe"y” you need someone with good first name to really play the game.
… but seriously, a team who can meaningfully challenge and effectively contribute to the debate is required. I see that 2 liberal caucus members are already have their heads in a different game, so that probably says alot about how its going too.
Comment by Amy — 2/10/2005 @ 11:27 amA week is a long time in politics and the only pole that counts does not occure for another 3 years.
I have never been a fan of Rogers and actively supported John E. during the last leadership race (what a mistake that would have been), but during Rogers time in office he rolled up his sleves and did an excellent job. I would have to classify him as one of our best premiers to date. Its to bad he was held accountable for the work of Clyde and Brian.
When the time comes Roger will find his voice and Danny’s halo will fade. That is the nature of politics in Newfoundland. Now which way is the wind blowing today?
Comment by Rick P — 2/10/2005 @ 12:45 pmI think the first step for Grimes is to stop assuming that full public disclosure of our financial situation is somehow a bad thing. Private Audits using standard business accounting practices reveal a severe deficit and liability situation and he says it’s over-played. Yet when asked to point to the fabricated part, he admits there is none.
Send Roger and Anna Thistle to math class. Brightest light in caucus, if there is one, would be Parsons from Port aux Basque area.
The Liberal party of Newfoundland and Labrador has to explain to every single one of us why the hell they thought it was ok to follow a plan that would have led us to send about a third of every tax dollar away in interest….
No, Roger, “duhhhhhhhh…..I’m compassionate” does not qualify as an answer. It’s damn irresponsible to let a future generation deal with the garbage of every past govt (tory and grit) since old crookie Smallwood.
Renewed word to Williams – put every cent on the deficit/debt situation.
Comment by Liam O’Brien — 2/10/2005 @ 5:07 pmThe provincial Liberals are in deep trouble and will continue to be as long as Grimes is at the helm. Grimes is just not trusted and certainly doesn’t appear to be trustworthy. The only thing good about Grimes is that he saved us from Efford. He demonstrated through his handling of the Voisey’s Bay deal and the way he operated during his short tenure as premier that he is way out of his league and the people realize that. Grimes main objective has been and continues to be self preservation at any cost. He will hang around until he is forced out by the party and will eventually be sent kicking and screaming on his way. He just doesn’t seem to have enough sense to know when to quit.
Comment by Jeremiah — 2/11/2005 @ 2:21 pm“He demonstrated through his handling of the Voisey’s Bay deal”
What about that handling?
Comment by WJM — 2/11/2005 @ 3:38 pmImagine Ontario crying foul when another province makes some gains! I am reminded of the image of the fattest pig at the trough hardly able to swallow another bite but refusing to let anyone else near enough to partake. Ontario has benefited more from confederation than all the other provinces put together (with the possible exception of Quebec). Just the benefits to Ontario from the thousands of federal jobs it has would pale the NL deal. Shame on McGuinty for trying to bolster his standings in the polls by tearing away the gains hard won by others. If there is one province which should be delighted with its place in this confederation, its Ontario.
Comment by Jeremiah — 2/13/2005 @ 9:10 amBravo, Jeremiah, I could not have said it better.
Comment by Anne — 2/14/2005 @ 11:39 amThe Liberals have an image problem in that they have no image. They are a non-entity right now. I can hardly remember the last time I saw Grimes’ face on the news. Unfortunately for the Liberals they are in a no win situation right now anyway.
I’m not a fan of Grimes but I do believe that he’s suffering more for the sins of Tobin than for his own. He was left with an even bigger mess than usual and he was somewhat of a lame duck from day one. Politicians who inheirit the premiership usually face some backlash. Grimes is the administrator type who would have negotiated and made compromises to try and slowly chip away at the problems faced by government. Williams is a charismatic populist who swings for the fences, and that is what captures the imagination of voters in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Any party that falls from grace as the Liberals did is in a difficult position. Grimes is not hanging on in desperation. He’s paying the price of the defeated leader. A new Liberal leader now would be a meaningless exercise. Just as the succession of PC leaders were unable to emerge from under the Wells/Tobin shadow a new leader now would suffer the same fate Roger is now. Remember the opposition under Loyola Sullivan or Ed Byrne? Neither does anyone else. Parties routinely use a leadership convention as a momentum builder. The PC’s tried it when they chose Williams and stared pushing for an imediate election. They were worried they’d lose that momentum if the election was delayed. In the end it didn’t matter. Right now the Liberals are simply biding their time, hoping to knock a bit of the shine off Williams and the PC’s in the meantime and planning for a leadership convention just before the next election (Ironically aided by PC legislation that sets a fixed date for provincial elections).
The best thing the Liberals could do right now is find a couple of fresh faces and put them into the spotlight. Someone that could capture the imagination of the public somewhat. That may even mean curent members resigning at opportune times to get new people in through by-elections. Newfoundland and Labrador is ruled by populist politics and unless the Liberals can find someone who can steal a little face time away from Williams it really makes no difference who their leader is. Of course you could make a case that it doesn’t matter anyway since no NL premier who who was voted into office has ever been turfed after only one term.
Comment by Boyd — 2/16/2005 @ 9:27 am