Goodale outlines "bigger tent" strategy for Libs

[Bragi]

Posted below are two sections of a Ralph Goodale speech delivered yesterday morning in Ottawa which touches on the subject of the divisions among Canada's "centre-progressives".

First is a section of the speech about building "a bigger tent"...

We need to reach across that centre-progressive part of the spectrum to expand the family – embracing what was the progressive part of the old PC Party, as well as the most thoughtful and rational elements of what would otherwise be NDP vote.

You accomplish some of this “bigger tent building”, I think, through compelling engagement on some of the biggest and toughest policy questions of our time:

• In a troubled world, how does an open democracy get the balance right between security on the one-hand and civil liberties on the other?

• What are the right global principles to apply in grappling with the dangerous dysfunctionality of failed and failing states?

• Here at home, beyond a zero-sum game of wealth redistribution as the essence of social policy, how do we achieve greater economic growth overall and broad-based prosperity that is truly inclusive?

• How can we marry that growth with effective environmental sustainability?

• To meet the inexorable pressures of global competition, how do we foster labour market flexibility and greater productivity without workers feeling victimized?

• How do we preserve Medicare as an essential public good?

There are many more such questions. Canadians will get the neo-Conservative take on these issues from Mr. Harper and from other such administrations (as in the United States). The hard-left will also advance their mantras – largely shop-worn and unworkable.

But who will speak for the progressive-centre, and how inclusive and expansive can that “centre” be? Liberals need to rise to this challenge...

Later in the speech, Goodale turns to the subject of Snappy Jack and the NDP...

We will not be a knee-jerk opposition. Where we believe the government is on the right track, we will say so. Indeed, we have already shown our bona fides in this regard.

But (as Mr. Harper himself used to say), the Official Opposition must be the Official Opposition. Our function is not to be a “prop of convenience” for the minority government.

The obligation to perform that “propping” function rests primarily with M. Duceppe and Mr. Layton.

They together forced the early election date. They together shaped the situation that now exists. And they must shoulder their responsibilities for the consequences.

So far, the Bloc and the NDP seem quite inclined to serve as Mr. Harper’s props.

Now facing the greatest-ever doubt about their basic relevance in Ottawa, the Bloc is in no hurry to further test their stature among Quebec voters – not right now. And the NDP prefers to just keep on bashing Liberals.

I must say, it is a bit rich hearing Mr. Layton now bemoaning the troubles with child care…
and with Kyoto…
and with cities and communities…
and with housing…
and with student aid…
and with new immigrants…
and with Aboriginals, when he himself contrived to bring down a government that was seriously at work on these very files. Mr. Layton favoured, instead, a big neo-Conservative risk. And Liberals will not allow him to escape his hypocrisy.

[GirlinContempt]

1. yawn