Everyone has an opinion as to how the opposition parties should respond to Harper’s latest machievellian ploy. My favourite idea, plucked from various blog comments sections, would be for the opposition parties to amend the public finance bill, either in committee or in the House (I’m not sure on the exact procedure).

Stick on an amendment that phases in changes over 10 years so that the parties can build up their grass roots fundraising machines. During the 10 year transition, the rule would be that public funds are only available such that public funding + private donations cannot total more than 15 million a year (or, whatever is deemed to be the number that best screws over the
Tories, and only the Tories).

After all, if it’s about principle, certainly this seems fair. It’s not without precedent – as Stephen Taylor points out, Obama opted out of public funding in the states. And if it’s about making sacrifices in light of tough economic times, well, this would be a grand selfless gesture on the part of the Tories.

Check.

Your move Steve.