A lot had been made by the press after this last provincial election, with the Liberals being reduced to a so-called non-party while Doug Ford and the Conservatives (we can’t really call them “progressive” anymore, can we?) likely celebrated with a party.
But I seem to recall the federal Conservative party suffering an even worse fate, winning two of a possible 295 seats under Kim Campbell in 1993, yet they’re still here and doing well enough, though it took a bit of time to bounce fully back.
As citizens, we must remember that the press are inclined to a certain amount of headline-grabbing sensationalism, and bugling out the non-party status of the Liberals is really just a way to get readers’ attention.
That sensationalism could be tempered if media articles simply explained that all non-party status means is that said non-party lose some funding for research (how much “research” is a political party even doing?), and have to ask, probably politely, the house speaker if they can be heard or not in that house.
So, while it’s not a highlight in the history of any party to be declared non-status, it’s far from a death knell, and just as the seasons go ‘round and ‘round and the painted ponies go up and down, so will the fortunes of the Liberal party.
D’Arcy Closs
Sudbury