The Liberal party of Canada is at a cerebral cross-roads. The party is at a low point, it's members soul-searching for an ideology, while others prognosticate or dream of the party's death or merger. Recent grumblings even accuse the liberals of lacking an ideology, tearing at Liberal supporters, confusing them and creating in-fighting. It is a sad state of affairs.
However, I believe they should look to a direction, not an ideology, thus providing a stark contrast to the two ideological parties already present in Canada. The Conservative and NDP bases are here to stay. If the Liberals want to stick around, they're going to have to take a bite from both parties, not just one.
Left / Right politics is a game, with no government ever practicing it's ideology in the purest form. The terms left and right are distant from their origin in the French legislatures of the late 18th century, where they represented very different values, dissimilar to modern interpretations.
Participants in this diversion constantly expose themselves to ridiculous positions and arguments, and are forced to concede that their ideology cannot be supported at this time or in that particular instance, generally alienating some followers. This type of left /right politics plays directly into the game of wedging people and, more importantly, votes.
To win the centre, the Liberals must break the wedge, and shatter the out-dated political anachronism of Left / Right.
Which brings me to the distinction between Direction and Ideology.
A direction is a plan, plotted with evidence and input from interested groups.
Ideology is a device and veil for the weak on policy, a set of rules blindly adhered to in the face of contradictory evidence.
This is where a pragmatic, almost realpolitik approach could be used to great effect (please keep ethics in the approach).
When asked questions regarding the party's lack of ideology, answer "We are not American neo-conservatives nor are we pure socialists. We simply make the best decisions for the people of Canada. We are the Liberal Party".
You can even jest at how the other parties have to pass resolutions at their conventions softening their positions - the conservatives changing their gay marriage wording from "government" to " party" because they believe in it, but their leaders know it's never happening. Or the NDP changing the language in their constitution from 'socialist' to 'social democrat'. I'm wondering if that alteration has drastically changed people's perceptions or the party's direction?
To take back the centre, where I believe most Canadians sit (including where the left/right have to move to win), you use mantras like "People are tired of the left / right political fight - They just want a Government that makes good choices and doesn't waste money on ideological sponsorship." The Liberal direction could be this Good Government, patronizing those who blindly follow ideology at the cost of reason and ethics. This sounds ridiculous, but it is one of the few places available in the political spectrum when the fight has been framed into left/right gamesmanship.
This tactic also allows the centre party to take pickings from both sides of the political demographic, not just one. Liberals have courted the Conservative vote in the past, and can in the future.
This new focus would need firm and clear policies. There are a plethora of issues on which the bulk of Canadians agree. Stooping to the Conservative mindset, the most basic are security / safety and the ability to prosper (economy) -without too great a tax hit. The masses can be both simple and complicated - they want government to benefit themselves without a tax hit or interference in their personal affairs. Not surprising, since the driving principle behind our society is Capitalism (self-interest - or in the extreme, greed).
But as I ramble myself off into darkness, may I suggest expanding upon the Thinking Conference of Lester B. Pearson - except take it to the communities. I understand that the last leader tried this, but unfortunately he had already been framed by the Conservatives and forgot to push back.
You need candidates in every riding. You can't win if you don't run, cough - NDP. Those candidates host the thinking groups that listen to their ridings concerns. You've got three years or more to listen. Do some opinion polling - lots of it. Don't ask about the party, ask "What do you want from your government" and don't provide a list of options.
This strategy also requires gifted wordsmiths to craft succinct articulate policy messages, talking points, and counter points. This is key. The brevity and clarity determines effectiveness. Sometimes people don't even like the government they vote for, but they like their style. (Globe & Mail editorial endorsement during election 41 listed Harper's "bullheadedness" as a positive trait and a factor in their choice.)
Then shore up the policy. Vote, decree, just make firm policy choices. But don't limit yourself either. "We're interested in alternative energies, and will commit money to them, but in the meantime the oil-sands project must continue." You are the centre party, which gives you the unique ability to straddle issues being the compromise in politically sensitive areas. Start doing it, and stop looking in the bloody mirror.
Oh, and only create think tanks if you plan to keep them honest. Otherwise just start a publication/ collection of graduate papers and dissertations. The facts should be on your side on this path.
Posts
