Ignatieff plans to be PM even if he loses election: Harper
Posted Apr 20, 2011 7:11 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has finally admitted he plans to become Prime Minister with support of the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois if he loses the election, says Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.
In an interview with CBC’s Peter Mansbridge on Tuesday, Ignatieff carefully handled questions about his plans if Harper fails to win a majority.
If Harper returned with a minority and failed to win the confidence of parliament, Ignatieff said he would not form a coalition but would be willing to form a government according to parliamentary rules. It would involve all parties, including the Conservatives.
Richard Johnston, Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, says Ignatieff is laying all his cards out on the table and that’s a smart move.
“He can’t duck the questions, so I think he’s probably just as well to confront it,” he says. “Getting it out there two weeks in advance allows for the possibility that the sting [of a coalition] can be taken out.”
Johnston says this could be a boost for the Liberals, after the Conservative strategy warned of a hidden coalition; but he also points out this could backfire on the Grits and drive more voters to the Tories to give them a majority.
