Why did the NDP do so well in Quebec, while the Bloc collapsed, and why did the Liberals just collapse period? Just asking.
In the case of the Bloc Quebecois, many in Quebec realized they were useless as sovereignty will be achieved through electing a PQ government provincially and a referendum. This was not the first close call to being obliterated. In 2003, it appeared the Liberals under Paul Martin would obliterate the Bloc, but they were revived thanks to the sponsorship scandal. In 2008, it looked like the Tories would do the same, but their comments on the arts cuts as well as the perception they were too right wing for Quebec saved the Bloc. This time around there wasn't much to attack the NDP with. Prior to this election the only thing standing in their way was the fact the NDP favoured a highly centralized government, but they abandoned this in the Sherbrooke declaration.
As for the Liberals, once the NDP pulled ahead in Quebec, many on the left who were more concerned with defeating Harper than voting for any particular party switched to the NDP. Likewise many Blue Liberals, particularly in Ontario were spooked by the thought of an NDP lead coalition so they bolted to the Tories. The Liberals actually ran a decent campaign, but being in the centre and having a leader who was less popular than either Layton or Harper made them vulnerable. Likewise Ignatieff didn't perform that well in the debates. Had he done well in the debates, I suspect the party would have done much better than they did.
Thanks for what appears on its face at least (since I know nothing about the ins and outs of Canadian political doings), appears to be a most cogent analysis. I appreciate your taking the time to enlighten me.
