What's happened to left-wing Liberalism? (Larry Zolf - CBC)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_zolf/20040126.html

The problem is what happened to left-wing liberalism in the process. Chrétien let Martin do all the budget dirty work and remained the liddle guy from Shawinigan. Though a millionaire himself, Chrétien was not the darling of Bay Street and he wanted it that way. In his choice of cabinet ministers, Chrétien moved leftish. Under Chrétien both left-wing Liberals Sheila Copps and Herb Gray flourished as deputy prime ministers. So did Lloyd Axworthy, the leftish foreign affairs minister.

Chrétien never made any false moves against the left wing of his party and that party unity paid off with three election victories in a row. Chrétien sold his left wing on the country's need for more fiscal conservatism as the only way to get the money for social reforms to come. No major left-right schism occurred under the Chrétien watch.

Chrétien had learned his politics under Pierre Trudeau, who in turn had learned his from the left-wing Liberal regime of Lester Pearson. It was Pearson who allowed Trudeau to push his One Canada bilingualism and multiculturalism themes. It was Pearson who let Trudeau decriminalize homosexuality and abortion.

Because the Liberals were in a minority situation all the way from 1963 to 1968, left-wing liberalism worked. The NDP was then content to bask in the role of propping up the government. With Pearson came the Canada Pension Plan and medicare, two pillars of left-wing liberalism. Pearson had his right wing ministers like Mitchell Sharp and Bob Winters to make sure that he didn't move too far left too soon.

[CHIMO]

1. Enjoy Larry's

Analysis and perceptions on politics.

Chretien, in his speech at the convention asked that the left not be ignored.

Martin seems to be on a power trip and doesn't realize how things are being polarized as to left and right. He may find himself the leader of a minority government if he is lucky enough.

There may be a squeeze on the centre, which some media and best neighbours may be encouraging.

Remember, Jean C. didn't rule out a return. What would happen to Martin if he doesn't come back with a majority?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

2. If Martin lost his majority, John Manley will magically reappear. n/t

[CHIMO]

3. Perhaps

But don't know if he would gain the left.

Also don't know what his philosophy is.

But one never knows. And six months in politics can be a lifetime.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. Manley isn't on the left, that's for sure.

But he is radical on one subject, he's a republican (in the non-US sense of the word)