The Throne Speech
I watched captivated in front of my TV while the GG read the anticipated speech from the Throne. It was, as many predicted, free of the frills that we have come to expect over the years. There are a few impressions though that I will briefly comment on.
I have a hard time understanding some of the critics. The few MPs I did see interviewed all said something along the lines of "it had good ideas but it was weak on substance." Superstar Scott Brison capped it all off with his "thin gruel" jab. Now, maybe I'm a little mistaken on this but my understanding was that the Throne Speech is supposed to be a braod statement. This is not a comprehensive document designed to spell out exactly how the government will achieve its objectives. Rather, it sets the tone for the next session of Parliament. You nay-saying MPs get to hammer out the finer details later because that's what you're elected to do. Priceless political posturing.
I also like how this was not some lengthy ordeal promising something for everyone. I vaguely remember the last Liberal Throne Speech but it was dreadfully boring. I do remember, though, a few choice images of Paul Martin looking very much like he was trying hard to stay awake. This time around they stuck to the basics and it worked. Heck, even Jack Layton seemed pretty supportive. He admitted that Mr. Harper has done some things that Paul Martin never did. He is listening and he knows he is in a minority situation.
The Conservatives stayed on track and I, a regular Joe Canada, liked that. We don't need to be boggled down with a million and one different policy proposals. This message was clear and focused. It says to me that they are indeed serious about achieving their key priorities. Naturally, there will be more issues to address: the country is just too complex to limit everything down to five specific areas. For now though, they project the image of a government intent on keeping its promises. It won't be perfect but all partisanship aside, I have not seen such determination in any government for as long as I have been following politics.
Say what you will about Harper and the Tories. I think we will see some interesting things in the next few weeks. On top of that, I think more people will be pleasantly surprised than they might have intended.
I have a hard time understanding some of the critics. The few MPs I did see interviewed all said something along the lines of "it had good ideas but it was weak on substance." Superstar Scott Brison capped it all off with his "thin gruel" jab. Now, maybe I'm a little mistaken on this but my understanding was that the Throne Speech is supposed to be a braod statement. This is not a comprehensive document designed to spell out exactly how the government will achieve its objectives. Rather, it sets the tone for the next session of Parliament. You nay-saying MPs get to hammer out the finer details later because that's what you're elected to do. Priceless political posturing.
I also like how this was not some lengthy ordeal promising something for everyone. I vaguely remember the last Liberal Throne Speech but it was dreadfully boring. I do remember, though, a few choice images of Paul Martin looking very much like he was trying hard to stay awake. This time around they stuck to the basics and it worked. Heck, even Jack Layton seemed pretty supportive. He admitted that Mr. Harper has done some things that Paul Martin never did. He is listening and he knows he is in a minority situation.
The Conservatives stayed on track and I, a regular Joe Canada, liked that. We don't need to be boggled down with a million and one different policy proposals. This message was clear and focused. It says to me that they are indeed serious about achieving their key priorities. Naturally, there will be more issues to address: the country is just too complex to limit everything down to five specific areas. For now though, they project the image of a government intent on keeping its promises. It won't be perfect but all partisanship aside, I have not seen such determination in any government for as long as I have been following politics.
Say what you will about Harper and the Tories. I think we will see some interesting things in the next few weeks. On top of that, I think more people will be pleasantly surprised than they might have intended.
posted by Jason at 6:35 p.m.
2 Comments:
Scott Brison is just playing politics. Attack the political ememy and get the leadership...
'Tis a throne speech Brian Mulroney would be proud of ....
Wait a bit, isn't he a key advisor to Harper?
And didn't he just about break up the country over his skewed deals with the provinces, trying to reduce the federal power in Canada?
Yup – Bustup Brian rides again.
All those who believe in a strong federal government will now face a fight with Harper trying in surreptitious ways to introduce his stealth agenda of a massive shift of financial and other powers from Canada to the provincial premiers.
This fight is going to be intense. Let's hope there are leaders in Quebec, the NDP and LPC who will stand up for Canada.
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