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September 15, 2008

Nobody likes a tattletale, Mr. Layton

Posted by Melissa Wilson at 09:18 AM ET

While no election campaign would be complete without a good amount of badmouthing and near-defamation of one's opponents, it's looking like this election is going to include nothing but, at least on the orangier side of things. New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton has seemingly abandoned the age-old campaign tradition of promising (ahem, "promising") change in favour of taking on Big Brother Stephen.

When he's not proclaiming that our Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper hates women, poor people and children (Harper probably hates baby pandas, too, right Jack?), Layton is taking it to the streets with this vague campaign slogan: "Stephen Harper can't be trusted."

The motto also appears on every chapter of Layton's PM plan, which is laden with "What a jerk!"s and "Look at me! Look at meeee!"s. In fact, for the most part, each chapter of Layton's plan follows the same formula.

From his plan for protecting the average consumer:

1) Talk about how bad things are in Canada ("Families like yours are struggling to make ends meet")
2) Blame it on Stephen Harper ("[He] has abandoned you")
3) Draw attention to Harper's "$50-billion tax giveaway to those price-gouging drug companies, cell phone giants, big banks and big oil"
4) List reasons why Harper can't be trusted (Basically, he doesn't care about you or your loved ones)
5) List reasons why Liberal leader Stéphane Dion won't do the job right
6) List things that he, Layton, has done in the past to do right by us Canadians ("Promoted a plan to phase in universal prescription drug coverage to protect you and your family from soaring costs")

That's all well and good, Mr. Layton, but umm . . . what do you plan to do for us now? Are you going to sit around playing solitaire if elected, or don a pair of red boots and a golden lasso and save the world? I can't tell by reading your plan.

Considering the NDP is currently poling at around 15% according to yesterday's Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll, and there is less than a month until the Big Day, I think it's about time Layton steps up his game and leaves all these childish antics behind.

In conclusion, if any of you readers would like a front-row seat to the gong show that is the Stephen Harper is a Meanie tour, Jack Layton will be bringing the gospel to Halifax and Dartmouth, N.S. today. Check out the Toronto Star's briefing for all your PM-candidate stalking needs.

More entries on: Election 2008

Previous: Week 1: More Policy, Not Politics
Next: Anticipating Alberta's Apathy

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Reader comments:

Interesting criticism, Melissa, but I have to say I disagree. During a federal election campaign, I don't think we can fault the parties for criticizing each other. I'm all in favour of a serious campaign based on sound policy and clearly articulated platforms, but that doesn't mean the NDP should pretend it's above all that vulgar politicking and never engage with its opponents. Some of do actually like a tattletale, especially in a parliamentary democracy that is fundamentally based on dissent and critique.

Posted by: Graham at September 15, 2008 11:17 AM

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Good point Graham. I'd just like to see a little more balance in Layton's campaign. He's doing a great job making me dislike the other parties, but at the end of the day, my vote is going to the candidate that puts forth the best policies and platforms, not the one with the loudest voice. Layton's got everyone's attention already--now is the time for him to actually propose a plan and say how he'll do it better than Harper.

Posted by: Melissa Wilson at September 15, 2008 11:57 AM

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What are you talking about Melissa you say..."That's all well and good, Mr. Layton, but umm . . . what do you plan to do for us now?"...

Well you must be watching a different election campaign then the one I am watching.
Of course Layton has to remind Canadian's of just what the conservatives have "done" and are all about,after all its an election campaign.
But to say he is bashing the conservatives at the expense of outlining NDP policies is rubbish.
"What's he going to do for us now"...?,well check out any Youtube video of an NDP campaign event/public appearance.Layton talks policy all the time,more specifically he outlines NDP policies quite effectively.
I have my criticisms of the NDP,but this campaign has got me more excited than I have been in quite some time.In fact I will be voting this election,a first,again in quite some time.
On a side note I have noticed(and I am not the first) many of the writers here at This seem to be enthralled with the Green's.Now there's a party that talks a lot about everything other than what it actually stands for,never mind outlining its policies in a clear manner.Ask a Canadian what the Green's stand for,awwww the environment,what else awwww....?

Posted by: Dirk at September 18, 2008 04:36 AM

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@Dirk: I too feel some of the enthusiasm for the Greens around here (and not just on this blog, either). I'm curious about the Greens, but also wary, and I think I'm not alone. They have virtually no electoral history, and zero parliamentary record, so they're kind of a tabula rasa. It's easier to be all things to all people when you've never cast a vote in the House of Commons or had to defend a platform in a debate. That's why this election is so hugely important for both the seasoned NDP and the upstart Greens, who are increasingly scrapping over similar territory. I think this blog, its authors, and its commenters definitely reflect that tension right now. And it's one of the few things that's genuinely exciting in an otherwise dull election. So stick around and keep us honest....

Posted by: Graham at September 18, 2008 11:51 AM

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