Some thoughts on the David Emerson affair. For some reason it’s not obvious to him or our robotic new prime minister that what he has done is wrong. You can’t just run for one party and then win the seat and then join another party literally the next day. This is illogical, insulting to voters and morally repugnant (ironic for Conservatives) but it is exactly what Emerson has done. Tells you a lot about the values of both Liberals and Conservatives—Emerson’s former and current parties.

What’s interesting about this situation is that this debacle may indirectly slide the NDP into the position of kingmaker in this new government. After the January 23 election the NDP were one seat away from being able to safely prop up a Conservative government. The same situation reigned in the summer of 2005 when Jack Layton wrung those much needed concessions from Paul Martin’s Liberals by propping up his government against a vote of no confidence. As then, a politician crossing the floor saved the day and made the NDP support work.

But this time David Emerson’s crossing may infuriate enough voters to abandon both the Liberals and the Conservative and choose the NDP; arguably he has effectively tainted both parties. This would give the NDP enough seats to appeal to the Conservatives. This situation of course depends on the tenacity of the active citizens in Vancouver Kingsway to force a by-election in the near future. And from where I stand they’re doing a pretty good job getting organized, backed up by the corporate media to some degree.

In a potential by-election, the NDP has a good shot to win. In the last election in Vancouver Kingsway, the Liberals polled 20,062 votes, the NDP 15,470 and the Conservatives a distant third with 8,679. Five thousand votes may seem a lot but there will be a lot of defections to the Conservatives and Emerson and many Liberal voters will probably jump ship for the relative security and calmness of the NDP.

Is it any wonder that the NDP are running with this issue and keeping it simmering under the voters? Good for them. There should be a law against party defections. The Bloc Quebecois are a ridiculous choice to prop up the Conservatives given their goal of separation though I do support more powers given to the provinces (and therefore the cities). The NDP maintaining Harper in power would be a great result for Canada. This would prevent passage of moronic policies like the $1,200 per year child care subsidy and ensure passage of progressive Conservative policies like the transit tax credit. Keep up the good work Jack!