I just posted this comment over at Sinister Thoughts but I thought it warranted its own post. MP Jack Layton has laid out his conditions for continued NDP support of the Liberal government. In my opinion these conditions are reasonable enough to be listened to but difficult enough that the Liberals can't implement them.
1) Health Care: there has been significant development of private delivery with the Liberals in power. If they wanted it stopped they would have already.
2) Same as climate change. Kyoto has come and almost gone and the Liberals have gotten Canada nowhere near the targets. Another issue where it is all Liberal talk and no action
3) What action can be taken on Softwood? Other than posturing there is no way the Liberals will get into a trade war
4) Pensions - I don't see the Liberals formalizing bailout plans
5) Address ethical issues - that's just too funny to comment on
Now that there is no chance (well almost) of a fall election that NDP has the chance to separate themselves from the Liberals. Good politics on the part of the NDP.
Update: There is more on this story from the London Free Press.
...Layton told his party's federal candidates gathered in Ottawa during the weekend that he's still prepared to give Martin a chance to prove that he's ready to take action on NDP priorities before he signals to his caucus to topple the minority government.
"Canada can't afford months of Martin talking about problems instead of acting on them," Layton said.
"If all we're going to get is smoke and mirrors at public expense . . . then he should not count on New Democrats expressing confidence in his leadership," Layton said.
..."We are ready to roll up our sleeves and make a difference to people -- in this Parliament preferably," Layton said to applause.
..."Canada deserves better than Martin giving away the federal government and turning the capital into an ATM," Layton said.
As I said above, this is a good move by MP Layton. There is no doubt that on the issues that the NDP advocates (public-only health care, Kyoto, etc.) that those who agree with be much better served by the NDP. MP Layton is correct to say that on these issues the Liberals provide nothing more than "smoke and mirrors at public expense.".
At this point the NDP does have a "central role in Parliament" but run the risk as being seen as the Liberals Handmaiden. By pushing their envelope further they can either win heroic gains for their constituency or severe their tenuous link. Very good move on MP Layton's part.
