It is tricky though. The NDP (along with the Bloc and Greens) has gained just as much as the Conservatives through all of this, i am not sure there is much evidence to show that if everyone abandoned the Liberal party that the Conservatives would win the next election.
People want an alternative, but cerainly not a socially right wing one. Not even downtown Calgary could be won by a Reform/Alliance member pre-merger. (And likewise in DT Edmonton) Is it any surprise that post merger no eastern urban areas in Canada are interested?
The major divide in Canada is not East-West or French-English. It is overwhelmingly Urban-Rural and frankly Urban ridings look at the Conservative party as a joke. It is simply incompatible with modern urban life.
IF they ever get their social policy out of the farm bible's of the tranditionalist/rural value voters of western Canada and instead focus on fiscal responsibilty they might have a chance.
I don't see it happening though...
That is not to say that conservatives are wrong in their values, merely that it should be no surprise the urban populace of the east is not interested - not because they are from the east, but because they are overwhelmingly urban value oriented....
Right or wrong, your average urban Canadian voter is more likely to equate responsible government and personal freedom as easy access to Day Care and Health Care then they are the right to an unregistered firearm in their hand and preventing the marriage of the common-law gay people living in the apartment 2 floors up.
Claeren.
|