workedover.ca

Having served on the executive for the Toronto-Danforth NDP for 4 years, it goes without saying that I know Jack Layton and politics very well. Being the third party at the Federal level is never easy in a 19th century political culture that plagues Ottawa. The Conservative-Liberal duopoly is tiresome, but my political instincts are detecting in my home riding of London-Fanshawe, that the Liberal brand is on the way out just by the lack of interest in their campaign. The riding of London-Fanshawe is currently held by New Democrat Irene Mathyssen. The three ridings in London are the equivalent of what the state of Ohio is to American Federal politics. So goes London, so goes the country! The two other ridings are currently held by Liberals, but from the start the Conservatives seem very active in those ridings and are very visable. They intend to win. The Toronto Star even published an article this past Saturday about New Democrats and Liberals competing for the lead of the Official Opposition. I don’t pay so much attention to the polls, but rather to the trends they create. I am starting to think that the NDP will perhaps have their best showing since Ed Broadbent and at 23 % (as quoted from the Toronto Star poll) the Liberals may be heading for a melt down of Kim Campbell proportions. Remember that NDP vote is concentrated in certain areas throughout the country and is more efficient. Despite all the drama about Elizabeth May being in the debates, Jack has been hitting the right issues at the right time and seems much more confident and polished than previous elections. In this riding the issues of economic fairness and consumer protection (gouging gas prices) are at the forefront of peoples concerns. Third time strong? I’m starting to think so.