God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen..Let Nothing Ye Dismay

Jag Baduria is a name some readers may re-call. He was elected as a Liberal to Jean Chretien's government from a Markham riding. Certain embarrassing factors emerged later. Furious voters demanded he be unseated and a new election held. Instead he was expelled from the Liberal Party and isolated in Parliament.

In times past, a member so disgraced would automatically resign his seat. Our culture however continues to evolve and traditions fall by the wayside. Jag Baduria stayed put until the end of the term.

When he was expelled from the party a couple of Liberal MPs of colour accused their party of racial bias. He sought the nomination a second time. He still had supporters.

Comments to the Blog indicate dissatisfaction in Aurora with the state of things. People keep asking what can be done. The simple answer is - NOTHING - until the next opportunity to cast a vote.

No recommendation will be forthcoming from the provincial government to change a decision made by the voters in a duly certified election. We do not live in a Banana Republic.

In the face of lost confidence, a provincial or federal government is compelled to resign or, to avoid an election on top of an election, hand over to a majority coalition. This week in Ottawa, Prime Minister Harper had to ask the Governor General to prorogue Parliament to avoid a confidence vote. It's only a stay of execution Either he learns to consult with her Majesty's Loyal Oppositions to ensure support for his policies or his fate will be sealed in January. Either way, he has lost face. His leadership days are numbered.

There is no forgiveness in politics. The game is played hard and for keeps. Every play is critical and chancy. It is not for neophytes , struggling intellects or namby-pamby personnas..

Joe Clark will forever be known as the shortest-serving Prime Minister, because he presented his first budget without ensuring enough government members were in their seats to support it. They had barely warmed the benches. The Liberal opposition, doing what an opposition is supposed to do, spotted the gaffe, called in their forces and the Clarke government was history. A new election was held and Liberals won again.

And so it goes.... Things used to be better at the municipal level. We elect nine people hopefully with independent judgement. We are not controlled by party discipline. Because we live among the people who elect us, communication flows.. Even easier now with Blog. If councillors have aspirations, it is wise to listen to tax-payers and be able to justify decisions. Our biggest current problem is the length of the term of office.

Our present situation dispels all logic. In the last election, we had several coalitions intent on electing candidates who would best serve their separate interests. The Coalition of Ratepayers was organised by Susan Walmer, campaign manager for mayoralty candidate Phyllis Morris. The election produced a majority block of councillors beholden to their leader. The Mayor did not win a majority at the polls but still fails to recognise the handicap.

Rampant power rests in the hands of one individual. There are no checks or balances, no rules; no separation between administrative authority and political imperative; no shame; no conscience; no sense of fairness or accountability; no perception of consequences and no relief for two more years. The price paid will be high.