1. From Tory MP MP Brent Rathgeber, comes this darling quote:
“Democracy and Parliament are not being sidestepped — they are only being suspended.”
I look forward to the campaign signs around St. Albert next election: “Suspend Democracy – Elect Rathgeber!”
2. The Economist weighs in, with a critical editorial on Harper’s decision to go prorogue.
3. Two polls are out today, with Ekos showing a narrowing of the Tory lead.
Angus Reid shows a majority of Canadians against the decision to prorogue – which is all swell and good, but it is likely worth mentioning that only a third of Canadians are paying attention to this story, and only one in ten are paying close attention to it. Ekos asks the question a bit differently, and finds that 52% of Canadians are clearly aware of Harper’s prorogation vacation.
Still, the polls found that 18% and 14% (on Angus and Ekos, respectively) of Conservative voters strongly disagree with the decision, so Harper may in fact be up against a bit of backlash on this. Getting Liberals and Dippers mad is one thing, but when your own voters turn against you, that’s a sign you may have miscalculated.