2017 British Columbia election

[Barnes]

It's important to remember that the Legislative Assembly could not constitutionally do anything until they elected a speaker, so if Clark is still trying the "Strong and Stable!" shtick, paralyzing Parliament from Day One would have reflected rather poorly on her.

Also, there is a direct precedence for what might happen in Queensland in 1996 when the ALP was reelected with a one seat majority and collapsed the next year after loosing a by-election leading to a Coalition minority government. A few weeks after the new Coalition government took over, the ALP speaker resigned and the new government tested its numbers by electing a Liberal speaker.

We shall see how this plays out...

[ProgressiveCanadian]

Looks like the "Liberals" power will run out on Thursday.

[RogueBeaver]

Mason: Grits are playing a procedural card they hope will convince Guichon to grant Clark dissolution. If it fails, then Clark's done as leader.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Mason: Grits are playing a procedural card they hope will convince Guichon to grant Clark dissolution. If it fails, then Clark's done as leader.

Even if they succeed, I fail to see how these shenanigans could play well with the voters.

[RogueBeaver]

That's what Meighen thought too. Depends who wins the messaging war in an election scenario.

[RogueBeaver]

If Clark's gambit fails, then she'll join Frank Miller in the Hall of Minority Infamy.

[RogueBeaver]

To paraphrase Bill Clinton, it depends on what the definition of "advice" is.

[RogueBeaver]

Mason: difficult to imagine Guichon ignoring Clark's advice.

[MaxQue]

Hopefully, if Guichon calls an election and the NDP, they will play hard ball. Defunding her office and denying access to any event until she resigns and going over every detail of her office finance and prosecute her for the tiniest mistake, a la Lise Thibault.

Her calling an election would be a coup and a denial of democracy. NDP-Greens have a majority.

[136or142]

Mason: difficult to imagine Guichon ignoring Clark's advice.

We must have read a different article: "The eyes of the province, and country, now turn on Ms. Guichon. If she doesn’t give the NDP a chance to govern with a one-seat majority, something that has managed to work elsewhere in Canada for as many as three years, she will face enormous criticism.

She will be seen as coming down on the side of a government that wants an election, rather than relinquish power. The stakes couldn’t be any higher."

[RogueBeaver]

Palmer says Guichon should give Horgan a chance despite Grit scheming.

Mainstreet: 45/34/17. 43/37 in Greater Vancouver.

[Hatman 🍁]

Mason: difficult to imagine Guichon ignoring Clark's advice.

We must have read a different article: "The eyes of the province, and country, now turn on Ms. Guichon. If she doesn’t give the NDP a chance to govern with a one-seat majority, something that has managed to work elsewhere in Canada for as many as three years, she will face enormous criticism.

She will be seen as coming down on the side of a government that wants an election, rather than relinquish power. The stakes couldn’t be any higher."

RB loves to put his own spin on things, for some reason and doesn't address it when called out on it. *shrugs shoulders*.

Anyways, if Guichon says an election must be called, it would go against constitution precedent which states that the LG or GG has to give the other party leader a chance to be government. If that fails, then an election should be called.  For the LG to call for an election would be acting in a partisan matter. Unlike the speaker, the LG is not accountable to the public (as she is unelected) so has not legitimacy to go against precedent.

[RogueBeaver]

My spin is that Clark should explicitly ask for dissolution, as Harper did for prorogation, and quit the word games.

[Hatman 🍁]

My spin is that Clark should explicitly ask for dissolution, as Harper did for prorogation, and quit the word games.

Prorogation and dissolution are two different things though. Prorogation does not entail having 2 elections in one calendar year.

[DL]

Even if Clark asked for a dissolution most observers felt the LG would refuse since having a second election in three months is nuts. Insightswest has a poll that says the NDP would win a snap election 41-36 with the Greens at 21

[Hatman 🍁]

Even if Clark asked for a dissolution most observers felt the LG would refuse since having a second election in three months is nuts. Insightswest has a poll that says the NDP would win a snap election 41-36 with the Greens at 21

Mainstreet shows the opposite numbers. I worry that a snap election will have lower turnout, helping the Liberals.

If there is a snap election, I would hope that the NDP and Greens campaign together and not run candidates against each other. Use the election as a referendum on their agreement.

I would also hope that if Lt Gov be fired if she chooses another election. 

[RogueBeaver]

Baldrey: most likely scenario is Horgan being commissioned, 2nd most likely is dissolution.

[MaxQue]

Baldrey: most likely scenario is Horgan being commissioned, 2nd most likely is dissolution.

It's literraly stating the obvious. I don't think there is any other solution (well, yes, appoint another Liberal that's not Clark, but there is no way this happens without Clark clearly asking it and even then, I'm not sure Guichon would obey).

[Hatman 🍁]

Apparently everyone and their dog has an opinion on what's going to happen.

[RogueBeaver]

Interesting Palmer tweets on a letter Guichon's private secretary sent a private citizen. My totally random guess: Horgan commissioned but asked to test confidence immediately.

[RogueBeaver]

Government has been defeated. Now to Government House.

[adma]

RB loves to put his own spin on things, for some reason and doesn't address it when called out on it. *shrugs shoulders*.

At least RB observes decorum, unlike LL (initials will suffice)

[Dereich]

As expected, the (Liberal) Speaker stepped down.

[Antonio the Sixth]

As expected, the (Liberal) Speaker stepped down.

They should just keep electing liberals until one of them takes the seat.

[RogueBeaver]

Clark has been in there for about an hour. LG statement within 35 minutes.