It’s sad really. Or rather, it’s worrisome.
As is becoming customary when a political season ends, the pundits line up to offer political insight in the form of season-ending summary analysis, as well as a best guess glimpse into next season. The pundit trophy this season without any argument goes to the CBC’s At Issue panel.
Based solely on last night’s season finale, one is hard-pressed to find four and a half better analysts than, in this order, Hébert, Coyne, Gregg, Murphy, and the half, Mansbridge. Even Rex Murphy, of whom I have been critical in the past, was at his very best this season, excessive punctuation and all.
However, in all of the analysis, in the interpretation of polling results, and in the “who seems to matter” category, nowhere on the radar screen since the last election are Elizabeth May and the Green Party. Of a party and a leader that pundits, in late 2007 and early ‘08, gleefully handed the momentum, today receive no mention whatsoever. Have doubts? Replay last night’s episode of At Issue (click here) and there are four words you won’t hear; Green Party and Elizabeth May.
Similarly, Don Martin’s season ending masterpiece Love-in on Hill won’t last long closes with advice for each party with one notable exclusion. See if you can figure it out:
“The Conservatives need the summer to pray for an economic recovery they can claim as their own, the Liberals must shake down the nation for money and manpower, the New Democrats need to find ways to survive the upcoming squeeze from the Grits and the Bloc Quebecois needs fresh gripe material to use against a Canada that gives Quebec more than its share of everything.”
What, no advice for the Green Party?
The Green Party, depending on whose poll numbers you trust, are still spread all over the country in the 7% to 11% range. Nevertheless, the party and its leader are currently viewed as no longer relevant and therefore remain excluded from significant political conversation. Worse, it’s strongest under 25 demographic base doesn’t vote, and when it matures enough to do so, reality overtakes ideology.
It’s easy to blame the change in channel from the environment to the economy, however that’s too easy. Not since before the attention seeking floor-crossing stunts for getting into the debates, the Dion deal, and the questionable decision to run Central Nova, has the Green Party done what it traditionally did best; politics differently and engaging in a real and substantive policy debate.
If in the post Ad-scam period the Liberal Party was sentenced to time in the penalty box, the same can be said of the Green Party for wasting what was arguably its best historical shot at getting a legitimate seat in the Commons. And by that I don’t mean a perch in the gallery. Given its behaviour during and in the lead-up to the last election, it may be a while before the Green Party and Elizabeth May are again taken seriously.
Like Don Martin, if others aren’t offering the Green Party advice, it’s not simply because they too know the advice falls on deaf ears. Mostly it’s because there is little if any advice to give that would, at this stage, make any difference. For better or for worse – I’d argue for worse – the pissing-match between Mr. Harper and Mr. Ignatieff has no other option than to play itself out. Until that match has met with its illogical conclusion, everyone else, save for Gilles Duccepe, is a spectator. Elizabeth May certainly included.
It’s really too bad and truly unfortunate. Elizabeth May is still, in my opinion, a person Canadians badly need in politics. Contrary to the label of a one-trick-environment-pony, Elizabeth May is likely more deeply and more intellectually diversified than the other leaders combined, however politically inept she may be.
While media pundits have nothing to offer, my advice might include a conversation with Mr. Ignatieff about the Environment ministry. Still better to be frustrated accomplishing only half an objective as Environment Minister, than nothing on the sidelines.
Failing that, or if as I suspect Mr. Ignatieff won’t take the call, then keep the head-down, keep raising money, diversify the platform, attract a big name or two, move now to a more winnable ridding, emerge as that talked about “none-of-the-above” party, and above all invest heavily in the digital democracy.
Sooner or later – probably later given the way things now seemingly must play out – the current FPTP system and political climate is going to crack. Preferably before there’s no-going-back. And when that happens the “none of the above” party had better be ready.