Obviously Premier Kathleen Wynne was not listening to the results of the last provincial by-elections in Ontario. She wants to stick her neck in a noose in two more. The lady is not a fast learner. The five by-elections in the summer left the Liberals behind and demonstrated the frustration the public feels with the three major Ontario parties. Wynne hardly needs further attrition in her caucus.
It is important to understand that the provincial government does not have to call the first of the two by-elections until March. Why call the by-elections and then have a general election within the following two months. There is no sense to that. The Liberals can hardly afford to suffer the ignominy of being blocked out in the by-elections just before a general election.
As things stand at Queen’s Park, Finance Minister Charles Sousa’s spring budget is not going to win any prizes with the New Democrats. And the Conservatives have already told everyone that they would not approve the budget even if it was written by the late right-wing economist Milton Friedman.
As things stand, the Horwath-Hudak relay team are taking us into an election in 2014 come hell or high water. They cannot allow Wynne’s Liberals any more time to get entrenched or to gain approval of the voters. You will be able to tell how successful Sousa’s budget might be by the speed with which the two opposition parties damn it.
It was interesting watching an Ontario Legislature session wrap up last weekend on Global Television with Horwath and Hudak. The interviewer was obviously favouring the Conservative’s Tim Hudak and even prompted him by asking for some personal news. The information that Timmy and his wife are expecting another child in the New Year was the only bright note in the entire interview.
Conversely, Andrea Horwath for the New Democrats had her hair done and was sporting a very professional make-up job. The lady looked very good. It was also obvious that she was getting some speaking advice. She was speaking in a less pushed manner and was making her case more carefully.
What was particularly impressive was that at one point, she smiled. It was probably the first time that many Ontario voters had seen her smile. It was electric. If she just smiles like that through the election campaign, she will make Wynne look like the Wicked Witch of the West.
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Copyright 2013 © Peter Lowry
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