Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

It's not about him, but now that you mention it…

by Aaron Wherry on Monday, September 28, 2009 1:26pm - 9 Comments

I try again to explain Jack Layton.

This seemed a terrible day for the leader of the NDP. But if you were thinking Jack Layton had just turned himself inside out, that the unrelenting opponent of this government had just debased himself for the purposes of political expediency, you would be wrong. At least so says the NDP.

“Canadians are fair-minded and want their politicians to use common sense,” Brad Lavigne, the party’s national director, said over coffee a few hours after the vote. “And what you’ve seen is probably Jack Layton’s best week of his leadership.”

Really? “Absolutely,” Lavigne conﬁrmed. “I’d say it’s one of his best weeks by far. In terms of seizing the opportunity, sticking to the principles, recognizing that it actually takes strength to get things for the people that sent us here. I think what Jack Layton has done this week is give a voice to the millions of Canadians who want to see this Parliament work and don’t want to go to an election.”

Tags: Brad Lavigne, EI, election, employment insurance, employment insurance reform, Jack Layton, NDP

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http://intensedebate.com/people/Gaunilon Gaunilon

Well, if that's the case then the last two years have been an abysmal failure of Jack Layton's leadership.
I'm point out he obvious here, but they just can't have it both ways.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Gaunilon Gaunilon

Well, if that's the case then the last two years have been an abysmal failure of Jack Layton's leadership.
I'm pointing out he obvious here, but they just can't have it both ways.

rumor

Of course they can. Every party has been having it both ways for years now.

We don't have to like it, of course.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Tceh Tceh

Jack Layton aligning himself with Stephen Harper will definitely bear fruit for somebody, but that somebody won't be Jack Layton.

Jack Layton = the new Dion
http://intensedebate.com/people/psiclone psiclone

There seem to be a few posters that appear to be angry at jack however if you are really curious as to the affect of jacks recent postioning check out nanos Polling at look art the weekly leadership index numbers – to summarize – it sucks to be a liberal right now – who knows maybe harper and layton attending the fall dance isn't as bad as the liberals would have you believe ROFL LMAO! as let's be honest Duion and Iggy were cheap dates but at least Layton might get a billion for EI recipients something i have no doubt might be a little incentive and a few votes .. unless you are a liberal in which case there is nowhere to go but further down the rabbit hole!

an online reader

" might get a billion for E.I. recients " Who's numbers ? Robert ( zap you're frozen) Stanfield was the last politician that told it like it is ?

The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) supports Parliament and parliamentarians by providing independent, authoritative and non-partisan analysis relating to government budgets and spending estimates. Wonder what he thinks of the 190,000 workers / $ 1 billion Government projection ?

http://theplaceofbiff.blogspot.com biff

There's two edges to that blade being wielded.

Iggy's failure to take down Harper when he had the chance was under the guise of "wanting parliament to work."

Apparantly only the current rationale offered by the Liberals, at any particular point in time, is to read as genuine. All others are cold and politically calculating.

Tell us more about this pure of heart, selfless Liberal party.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

Well you have to admit it makes more common sense to first try to make parliament work, then give up in disgust vs. give up in disgust and then try to make parliament work.