Fall election looking doubtful. Ignatieff left holding the bag.

“This proposition is a very serious proposition,” NDP finance critic Paul Dewar told reporters, just minutes after Human Resources Minister Diane Finley and Revenue Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn announced the expanded benefits. If the legislation truly does assist the unemployed, Mr. Dewar said, “we would be irresponsible not to seriously consider and support that.”
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The NDP was showing signs of reversing its position. Even the Bloc has shown signs it wants to work with the Tories with a crime bill.

This is taking credibility away from the Liberal party not that it had much to lose in the first place.

Three out of four federal parties don't see why we need to go to an election. This leaves Ignatieff looking really quite foolish in the process. Foolish, arrogant and power mad is how Ignatieff is appearing as their doesn't appear to be an election issue at all.

EI reform? No sir. The Tories have unveiled their plan for some EI reform that is to the liking of Mr. Layton and his NDP party faithful in the mining and manufacturing sectors. It even is good for Duceppe and Quebec as forestry workers in his province would also benefit from this EI proposal. Both of these guys would have a hard time voting against this measure that it bound to be popular with their constituents.

They'd certainly have some explaining to do if they did. I'm eagerly awaiting the response by Ignatieff and the Liberals when they do vote against it. I want them to explain to the Canadian people as to why they are voting against the bill.

To onwards to the Bloc and Quebec. I pleasantly surprised today in Question Period when Duceppe said he and his party was interested in closing the loophole that allows offenders to be eligible for parole after just 1/6th of their sentence is served. To be perfectly honest it appeared to catch everyone including the PM off guard as well.

The PM was very diplomatic and said it was willing to look at any bill that the Bloc was willing to put forward in an effort to make Parliament work.

That said it's a positive sign that there will not be a fall election at all. I noticed that all the leaders apart from Ignatieff was very careful not to back them selves into a corner.

This left Ignatieff and the Liberals alone to sulk by themselves for all to see. Ignatieff is going to have to eat some humble pie.