Vote For Me For Cheaper Food!

Stephen Harper today announced that the Conservatives would cut excise duty on diesel by half. Obviously this runs contrary to their stated aim of achieving a "practical, achievable plan to clean up Canada’s air, land and water and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

But from the point of view of electoral politics it makes perfect sense. A Liberal imposed carbon tax has already proved unpopular in British Columbia and at a time of international economic downturn people are going to vote with their wallets.

The other parties have been thrown down a real challenge and they need to come up with something better than righteous indignation and half-hearted feel good phrases.