It's The Stupid Economy

Anybody who has spent any time amongst Canadians in the last few days will be aware that the main talking point is the economy. It might take the form of gas prices or wondering whether their job or their pension is safe. Barring a major incident it's safe to say that this will be the defining factor in next month's election. So how do the parties approach their campaigning;

The Conservatives have been dealt an easy hand by the Liberals. They just need to keep telling people that the Green Shift will cut into Canadians pockets. Job done.

The Liberals need to emphasise the tax cutting aspect of their plan (this is a damage limitation exercise rather than a winning strategy) and they need to link the Conservatives with big business, and portray them as distanced from the average worker.

The NDP need to be the Liberals but without the Green Shift. They should emphasise that they intend to be the consumers friend who will monitor price gouging more than any other party.

The Greens need to.......well, the Greens are dead in the water.

Harper Comes Clean

Speaking about the Danny William's ABC campaign yesterday Stephen Harper said "No-one can tell a Newfoundlander and Labradorian how to vote" (presumably he doesn't think that this applies to the rest of Canada). He also said;

"Voting is about your own best interests"

Nothing about what's best for the country? Or the community? It's just about me? The strength of the Conservative message in uncertain times is that it gives the individual the hope or belief that they can overcome the general trend of economic downturn. However it would probably be wise for Harper to put his point across in a slightly more succinct manner in the future.

Danger! Danger!

The Internet is a wonderful tool for political parties. It allows them to target vast numbers of voters at very little expense. It allows them to be creative and appealing in ways that they can't achieve on television or radio. It allows them to reach demographics that were out of reach just a few short years ago. Unfortunately it also allows them to make complete asses of themselves.

The suspension of Ryan Sparrow is a case in point. Apparently he thought that it would be a good idea to use a dead soldier to make political capital and has now paid the price. It's ironic that this should happen on September 11th because it has similarities to an incident in Britain in which a staffer for Tony Blair put out an e-mail during the terrorist attacks saying that this would be a good time "to bury bad news". She was also fired.

There should be a cast iron rule at all party headquarters dealing with this kind of missive. Once it's written wait for 30 minutes until you send it out (I know we live in an instant information age but it can wait), make sure that at least 5 people read it without being told what it's about (what some people think is clever other people think is crass (as Ryan found out), and finally re-check everything and wait another 30 minutes before hitting send.

It might just save your career.

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.

Election Coming

The Canadian Election has been set for October 14th 2008;




Here are links to the main parties websites.

The Conservative Party

The Liberal Party

Bloc Quebecois

New Democratic Party

The Green Party

Over the coming weeks I will looking at where each party stands on the main issues and speaking to individual members to find out their hopes and concerns.