[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[viper37]

It does disenfranchise voters in the Speaker's constituency. They don't get a choice (Farage once ran against a Speaker and did very badly, even for him). On the other hand in terms of constituency casework I imagine any minister would take a case raised by the Speaker very seriously - and given they're always backbenchers that may be a benefit.

Also in the UK a soft tradition that it should kind of alternate, so it's not unusual for a Speaker to come from the opposition. So Michael Martin (Labour) and John Bercow (Tory) both came from the government parties, in different ways, but Betty Boothroyd and Lindsey Hoyle (both Labour) were elected while there's a Tory government. Since 2009, the Commons votes in a secret ballot (as with chairs of select committees), so while there are preferences from the party leadership they can't really whip.

Edit: And also worth saying Speakers basically carry on until they choose to step down (normally as an MP too). In theory the Commons elects one after each election, but in practice I think they've always re-elected the previous Speaker if they still want the job (which they kind of need to to get all the parties to not run against them). So change of government etc makes no difference.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/greg-fergus-speaker-conservatives-1.7211706

Interesting article.  It discusses how the Speaker in the Canadian House of Commons has come under increasing partisan attack.  You can read the article itself to decide how much of it is warranted or not (hint - it is at least partially warranted, but reasonable people can disagree about how much).

But anyways, the article suggests following the UK model - that the Speaker not only is not a member of the party caucus, but will then run as an independent during elections - and major parties will decline to run candidates against the speaker.

I like the idea that the speaker should be an independent figure.  The US model, where the speaker is just the leader of the majority party, seems terrible.

But not sure I like the proposed model either - it feels like it disenfranchises everyone in the speaker's riding.

Anyways - thoughts?

I wouldn't want to create new rules because of this inept Speaker.  Put me on the side that thinks this Speaker should step down.

Normally the Speaker takes their responsibilities seriously AND are able to help their constituents.

With most things it is not the rules regarding the role, it is the person who is in the role.

The last one was better at his role of speaker.  Too bad he invited that Ukrainian war veteran without making appropriate verification.

[Josephus]

Interestingly, Ontario's Conservative government is considering calling an early election (one is not due till 2026).

The reason? Premier Ford is worried Poilievre will win an election in 2025; reducing transfer payments to the provinces, scrapping Trudeau's electric vehicle strategy and other slashing that could hurt people's perception of the Conservative Party  in Ontario

[viper37]

Stupid move.

[Grey Fox]

I think it's brilliant.

[crazy canuck]

Stupid move.

PP or Ford?

[Jacob]

Tactically it's probably smart by Ford. This way he can capitalize on anti-Trudeau sentiment before it starts waning.

[Barrister]

Tactically it's probably smart by Ford. This way he can capitalize on anti-Trudeau sentiment before it starts waning.

Probably true - but the big "but" is he has to sell why he's asking for a new election a year early.

That wound up biting David Peterson in the ass back a number of years ago.  Looking it up - Peterson's Liberals won a huge majority in 1987.  Seeing his opposition in seeming shambles he called an election in 1990 with Peterson still leading in the polls.  People were pissed, and wound up electing Bob Rae's NDP.

The last Ontario election was June 2, 2022 - so just shy of 2 years at this point.

[Jacob]

True enough.

[Sheilbh]

Probably true - but the big "but" is he has to sell why he's asking for a new election a year early.

Brenda from Bristol strikes again

I agree. I think people really, really do not like being made to engage with politics if, from their pov, there's no need.