I have to admit I have been shaking my head at Jack Layton the last few days as he has stuck to his compromise motion. But after watching the press scrum with PM Martin and the ensuing comments by CTVs Craig Oliver I am changing my mind.
The Liberals are looking increasingly ridiculous in not accepting the Opposition motion. The government is saying that you can't lose a confidence vote and then stay in government until an arbitrary fall date. Except we already have an arbitrary fall date - 30 days after Gomery.* Also, the Opposition is not bringing in a non-confidence vote. They are suggesting that a non-confidence is not necessary if the Liberals move the fall date from March 2nd to January 4th.
Finally, there wasn't going to be any legislation in February. In fact the Liberals would have probably prorogued after December 8th until 29 days after Gomery, release a budget and then drop the writ. Under the NDP plan the fall legislation can happen. It is the Liberals who won't allow it and it appears that the media is finally figuring this out.
* I fixed some spelling mistakes - it is so cringe inducing when you see your own mistakes quoted on another blog - thanks for fixing them Bob. And please blogroll LetItBleed now.
