Concessions Is The Platform Of Minority Governments....

...but only when it is in the ruling partie's best interests.

Chris Selley's Full Pundit: Stuck with Stephen Harper

And now, down to business
With the Liberals’ Seinfeld convention in the history books, it’s back to election brinksmanship.

The Toronto Star’s James Travers touchingly suggests that instead of threatening an election over employment insurance reform, the Liberals try working together with the other parties to get the reforms in question passed. It’s a fine idea, of course, but Travers must know the Liberals aren’t actually expecting to fight an election on this issue. As Adam Radwanski asks on his Globe and Mail blog, “does anyone seriously think Conservatives won't make concessions on employment insurance reform” if an election is the alternative?

Obviously the Liberals are trying to create a narrative in which they stand up for Canadians against the heartless Tories (in May, mind you, not in February when the budget came down) and the heartless Tories fold, in hopes Canadians will show their appreciation whenever the 41st election does actually arrive. They want to be seen “setting the agenda,” as the Globe’s Lawrence Martin puts it, so as to “drive the Harperites up the wall.” It’s just politics as usual, in other words, although we must concede that in this case, it might very well do some good. Click here to read more...

EI improvements coming?Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is leaving open the door to improving employment insurance to avoid being forced into an election by the opposition parties.

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