For sure now, not considering the results next Monday, the anti Harper camp has established its ‘hegemony’. It is not only (and perhaps mainly) quantitative, in relation to the number of people who will vote for Harper or for the other parties. It is ‘established’ in the society ‘at large’ (mass media included) that the Harper revolution is refused here. It’s not a small accomplishment.
During the past months and in fact since the election of the minority government, Conservatives and their allies in big business have undermined as much as they could their adversaries: not only popular movements and the left, but Keynesian ‘mainstream’ policies. Their main enemy was John Meynard Keynes rather than Karl Marx. They did it without much nuance, contrary to what Chrétien and Martin had done in the precedent nine years. It was an ideological attack, aiming at changing the heart, the core, the substance, the culture, so that big changes, revolutionary changes, could come ‘naturally’. They failed to do that even with the full power of the state apparatus. Why? Because there was resistance! In the last weeks, the left has played a significant role. Of course, the Nationalists also were very clever in their messaging. They did so, by the way, notwithstanding the intelligence of Gilles Duceppe, because the people was against the rightwing backlash, so therefore, it brings it back to the social movements and the left.
Now Stephen’s move earlier in September was to try to run ahead of his time and prevent the opposition to regroup and capture that revolt against neoconservatism. He was sincerely hoping to win that battle and then, with a majority government, to push ahead with or without the consent of the majority. Lying, bullying, threatening, intimidating was at the heart of his tactic. But it bounced back, as we saw over the issues of culture.
What is the next move of the neocons? They are still working hard to spin the imminent defeat into a tactical victory, gaining a relative majority in the house, capitalizing on the bloody battles that will come within the Liberal Party, targeting the opposition of all colors. If they get over the 36% of the last election, they will even claim ‘moral’ victory’. Of course if they don’t, their margin of maneuver will be much less. So we have to use this space to make sure that they are morally defeated. I am afraid of people staying at home because they will think that the imminent threat is over. Get your people out to vote!
Moreover the day after, we have to talk again the issue of a people’s coalition bringing the progressive camps of the three nations together. For sure, this is another story. But it would be very sad if we would not be able to at least try it.
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Nick Seebruch, editor
