There was an interesting letter to the editor in one of the Babel newspapers recently that provided a window on provincial conservative thinking. The writer makes an educated argument in favour of conservatives, such as Ontario Leader Tim Hudak, taking a more middle of the road political stance. While the use of the word “astroturfing”–a public relations term for creating a false grass roots movement—makes us curious about the writer, the argument is quite lucid.
The writer is concerned about the penchant of Mr. Hudak to cater to the more extreme elements of the political right. He believes that Ontario voters want conservative governments at all levels but that they want a more middle of the road conservatism. He sees today’s politics as a “race to the middle.”
And that is where we differ. Too many people have tramped through the middle ground over the years and pissed on it. The middle in Canadian politics is a very muddy place.
In a way, Rob Ford in Toronto last year was a breath of fresh air: what you saw was what you got. It had nothing to do with former Mayor David Miller. Miller was already history. Ford’s message was not of change but of retrenchment. People wanted to take a breather. And it surely was not the guy’s charisma! Ford was running as the suburban candidate against a downtown gay guy who was almost as right wing as he. Former Deputy Premier George Smitherman did not understand the suburbs were the home of homophobia and he defeated himself. Ford was the beneficiary.
Looking at the Stephen Harper example is closer to making the conservative writer’s point. There is no question but that Prime Minister Harper wears the cloak of the middle right with a certain amount of style. It is this hypocrisy of Harper’s that infuriates many Canadians. No, he will not talk about abortion but will keep money from foreign aid programs that try to help women. Nobody knows what he will do in the next four years but we can guarantee you that most Canadians are not going to like it.
The funniest statement the writer makes is when he points out that Hudak does not have Rob Ford’s charisma. He says it leaves Hudak no option but to elbow his way into the race for the political middle. It means Hudak will have to reject the help of the ultra-right Ontario Landowners Association. It could also mean Hudak should not be kicking off his formal campaign by dissing newcomers to Ontario. That certainly panders to the lowest common denominator in politics.
But when you consider that former Premier Michael Harris is Tim Hudak’s hero and role model, he does not set the bar very high.
-30-
Copyright 2011 © Peter Lowry
Complaints, comments, criticisms and compliments can be sent to [email protected]