Joe Clark's Coalition Consideration

Edmonton - Friday, April 26, 2002 - by: Ron Thornton

coalitions
Joe Clark spoke at Toronto's Granite Club April 25th, still dwelling on the subject of coalitions.

temporary
Clark told of how John Diefenbaker and Brian Mulroney forged broad coalitions and formed government. Still, Joe failed to point out that such coalitions proved to be temporary and quite unstable. After each government fell, the coalition dissolved, leaving the PC's back at square one.

liberals
15 year
cycles
On the other hand, the Liberals have somehow managed to avoid losing more than two straight since 1896, when Sir Wilfred Laurier ended the Conservative dynasty founded by Sir John A. Macdonald. Laurier won four elections and served fifteen consecutive years as Prime Minister. The tandem of Mackenzie King and Louis St. Laurent strung together five straight wins at the polls in a twenty-one year run. Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau combined over five elections to keep the Liberals in power from 1963 - 1979.

conservatives
minor
interuptions
Now, after Brian Mulroney's repeat wins the Liberals have claimed their own three-peat. It would seem that the Conservative coalitions of the past could be comparable to welfare payments in that while they might bring short-term relief they offer nothing in the long-term. What is the point of continuing a perpetual cycle where for every eight years the Liberals are in opposition, they return to power for the following fifteen to twenty years?

chicken
farm
Maybe the solution lies in a true alternative, a national conservative vision that actually stands for something other than advancing a Liberal-light option. As for Joe Clark's fantasy of winning the next election, if a dozen MP's make a national party, the dozen eggs in my fridge make me a chicken farmer.

Ron Thornton

References:

From the Progressive Conservative web site, the text of Mr. Clark's speech at the Granite Club

April 24, 2002 Tory leader's view of the future rivals Alice's looking glass DRC coalition failed because it worked so well, Clark says Paul Wells National Post

Clark, Dumont meet, but deny talking of alliances By CAMPBELL CLARK OTTAWA
Thursday, April 25, 2002 – Print Edition, Page A4 Toronto Globe and Mail

Working with rebel MPs hurt Tories, Clark says By BRIAN LAGHI Wednesday, April 24, 2002 – Print Edition, Page A6, Toronto Globe and Mail


Edmonton - Friday, April 26, 2002 - by: Ron Thornton

coalitions	Joe Clark spoke at Toronto's Granite Club April 25th, still dwelling on the subject of coalitions.

temporary	Clark told of how John Diefenbaker and Brian Mulroney forged broad coalitions and formed government. Still, Joe failed to point out that such coalitions proved to be temporary and quite unstable. After each government fell, the coalition dissolved, leaving the PC's back at square one.

liberals 15 year cycles	On the other hand, the Liberals have somehow managed to avoid losing more than two straight since 1896, when Sir Wilfred Laurier ended the Conservative dynasty founded by Sir John A. Macdonald. Laurier won four elections and served fifteen consecutive years as Prime Minister. The tandem of Mackenzie King and Louis St. Laurent strung together five straight wins at the polls in a twenty-one year run. Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau combined over five elections to keep the Liberals in power from 1963 - 1979.

conservatives minor interuptions	Now, after Brian Mulroney's repeat wins the Liberals have claimed their own three-peat. It would seem that the Conservative coalitions of the past could be comparable to welfare payments in that while they might bring short-term relief they offer nothing in the long-term. What is the point of continuing a perpetual cycle where for every eight years the Liberals are in opposition, they return to power for the following fifteen to twenty years?

chicken farm	Maybe the solution lies in a true alternative, a national conservative vision that actually stands for something other than advancing a Liberal-light option. As for Joe Clark's fantasy of winning the next election, if a dozen MP's make a national party, the dozen eggs in my fridge make me a chicken farmer.

	Ron Thornton


References:
	From the Progressive Conservative web site, the text of Mr. Clark's speech at the Granite Club

	April 24, 2002 Tory leader's view of the future rivals Alice's looking glass DRC coalition failed because it worked so well, Clark says Paul Wells National Post

	Clark, Dumont meet, but deny talking of alliances By CAMPBELL CLARK OTTAWA Thursday, April 25, 2002 – Print Edition, Page A4 Toronto Globe and Mail

	Working with rebel MPs hurt Tories, Clark says By BRIAN LAGHI Wednesday, April 24, 2002 – Print Edition, Page A6, Toronto Globe and Mail