There is a warm feeling to being needed. And judging by the carefully crafted e-mails from the political parties these days you know that it is really your money that is needed. It is a sign of the times. The end of subsidies to political parties and the anticipated election called by act of parliament for October this year, are the reasons.
The end of public subsidies to political parties was a bravado act by Canada’s Conservative Party to gain advantage over the Liberals and New Democrats. They had little realization that the other two parties would quickly learn the art of modern political base fund-raising. In the past two years the combined opposition parties have exceeded the Conservative dollar figures. The Liberals have even shown what asking for $3 can achieve. It is all very scientific today and it works.
The Conservative effort over the year end was based largely on fear. The Harper government is in trouble and its supporters are aware of it. To the chagrin of the opposition, Conservative supporters have deeper pockets and the Tories will have more than $15 million to fund an October campaign.
And as much as the Conservatives would like to go early and catch the opposition off guard, they are more likely to try a new strategy this year. They think they should surprise everybody by keeping their word. That will make the October 19 date a go.
While the Liberals will probably have to work with less than $15 million for the central campaign, the banks likely stand prepared to loan them what they need to close the gap. There will be no free ride for the Conservatives this time out.
And everyone smells blood. While the New Democrats are being realistic and at least hope to hold some of the seats from the Orange Wave in Quebec, they know the Liberals are going to dominate in the east. With at about half of the money to spend as the Liberals, they will still try to be the spoilers in vulnerable Ontario and British Columbia ridings. Their hope will be for a minority Liberal government and leaving themselves with the balance of power.
But this is just the beginning of truly public funded politics in Canada. New demographics selections will soon be hearing the siren call for political money. Just use the Internet enough and your likes and dislikes will be noted, recorded, categorized and the right party will ask for your contributions.
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Copyright 2015 © Peter Lowry
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